Less than a week after Hurricane Helene ripped through the southern Appalachians and caused catastrophic damage in particularly hard-hit Asheville, a Republican official said “they” could control the weather, seemingly referring to his political rivals.

Carlos A. Gimenez, a fellow Republican and Florida representative, contradicted his colleague.

What happens?

Representative Gimenez’s home state of Florida is dealing with one of the worst hurricanes in its history. According to NBC News, about 11 million Floridians were at risk of flash flooding and river flooding as Milton entered the central part of the state.

Gimenez still took the time to spread a conspiracy theory about another hurricane that hit his state just a few weeks ago. Hurricane Helene killed at least 227 people as it passed through Florida’s Big Bend region, Georgia, the Carolinas and parts of the Tennessee Valley region.

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called climate change the “new Covid” on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) on October 7.

“Ask your government if the weather is being manipulated or controlled,” she posted. “Did you ever give them permission to do that?” Are you paying for it? Of course you are…”

Watch now: How did Hurricane Helene wreak havoc so far inland?

“Yes, they can control the weather,” Representative Greene wrote on X on October 3, according to Newsweek, without revealing who “they” were. “It’s ridiculous for someone to lie and say it can’t be done.”

Republican Representative Gimenez responded on his X account: “Humans cannot create or control hurricanes. Anyone who thinks they can do it needs to have their head examined.”

He wasn’t Greene’s only fellow Republican to question her views on the weather: “I am here to dispel the outrageous rumors that have been circulating online,” North Carolina Congressman Chuck Edwards wrote in a press release.

“No one can control the weather,” the congressman said, addressing what he called weather “myths.”

“Charles Konrad, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Southeast Regional Climate Center, has confirmed that no one has the technology or ability to geoengineer a hurricane.”

Why are weather conspiracy theories worrying?

Edwards, whose district includes Asheville, spoke out after noting that the spread of misinformation has increased since Helene attacked the mountain town.

He praised the “unmatched” level of support Western North Carolina has received. Still, he was concerned about “hoaxes, conspiracy theories and hearsay about the hurricane response efforts and hearsay” spreading about the response effort for Helene.

FEMA is concerned that rumors and untruths discourage survivors from seeking help as misinformation fuels fear and mistrust, but notes that it also hinders relief efforts.

What is being done about misinformation about weather disasters?

Social media platform TikTok says it has launched several initiatives to eliminate “climate change misinformation that undermines the established scientific consensus.”

FEMA urges everyone to double-check the information before sharing it. “Misinformation spreads quickly,” the agency said in its blog post titled “Combating Rumors and Scams About Hurricane Helene.”

“If you come across a post or message that seems suspicious, check the source before sharing it,” the agency wrote. “Look for information from trusted sources such as FEMA, local governments or nonprofit organizations.”

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