'Kill creators of storm': US meteorologists face death threats as hurricane conspiracy theories spiral online

Meteorologists in the United States tracking Hurricane Milton which has left a trail of destruction in several US states, have found themselves under attack amid a wave of conspiracy theories. According to media reports, meteorologists have become targets of abuse, and even death threats. This comes amid misinformation and conspiracy theories surrounding two major hurricanes – Milton and Helene – recently struck multiple US states.

False claims of weather manipulation spread online, thanks to Trump and Co.

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In the past two weeks, since Hurricane Helene hit six states, killing hundreds, and Hurricane Milton hit Florida on Wednesday, false claims have been making rounds online. Somepeople are suggesting, without any proof, that the US government is secretly manipulating the weather.

It isimportant to note that no technology exists that can create or control hurricanes.

However, platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok have seen a surge in the number of posts alleging government weather control with many garneringmillions of views. Most of these posts come from accounts known for spreading conspiracy theories, including those about COVID-19 and itsvaccines.

This surge in misinformation, largely fueled by former US President and Republican presidential candidate,Donald Trumpand his supporters, has reportedlyhindered efforts to assist communities affected by the hurricanes.

Meteorologists targeted by violent threats

Katie Nickolaou, a meteorologist based in Michigan, told The Guardian that she and her colleagues have been the main targets of these conspiracy theories.

“I’ve never seen a storm garner so much misinformation, we have just been putting out fires of wrong information everywhere,” Nickolaou told The Guardian.

She added, “I have had a bunch of people saying I created and steered the hurricane, there are people assuming we control the weather. I have had to point out that a hurricane has the energy of 10,000 nuclear bombs and we can’t hope to control that. But it’s taken a turn to more violent rhetoric, especially with people saying those who created Milton should be killed.”

One person even told Nickolaou: “Stop the breathing of those that made them and their affiliates.” She responded: “Murdering meteorologists won’t stop hurricanes. I can’t believe I just had to type that.”

"People have called me a plethora of curse words, people telling me to shut up and sit down, people who think it’s OK to take out Doppler radar because they think it is controlling the weather,” said Nickolaou.

She added, “It is eating up a lot of work and free time to deal with all of this. It’s very tiring.”

Conspiracy theories gain traction with public figures stoking fire

As Hurricanes Helene and Milton gained strength in the Gulf of Mexico misinformation also continued to spread. Among the false claims was one from Trump, suggesting that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had run out of funds for hurricane victims because it was being given to illegal immigrants.

“Hurricane Helene was an ATTACK caused by Weather Manipulation,” claimed a video shared by Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security advisor.

“Yes, they can control the weather. It’s ridiculous for anyone to lie and say it can’t be done,” wrote Marjorie Taylor Greene, a far-right congresswoman, on X last week.

However, theclaims were soon debunked by the Republican governors whose states were affected by the hurricanes as they came forward andsaidthat FEMA and US President Joe Biden's administration were quick to respond to the impact of the storms.

Biden condemned these conspiracy theories, calling them “beyond ridiculous.” He added, “It’s so stupid. It’s got to stop.”

(With inputs from agencies)