Post shared by claim that (FEMA) will prevent Floridians from returning to their homes.
Incoming information: FEMA is currently shelling out ‘exorbitant’ amounts of money to private security companies to have security contractors stationed in Florida to prevent Floridians from returning to their homes and businesses after the storm hits I’m pleading with you. Evacuation orders are meant to force people out…
— HealthRanger (@HealthRanger) October 8, 2024
Verdict: False
There is no evidence that FEMA intends to prevent Floridians from returning to their homes if evacuation orders are lifted.
Fact check:
On October 6, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in the Sunshine State, which is about to be hit by its second Category 5 hurricane in two weeks. USA Today Reported.
Posts on X claim that FEMA has removed Floridians from their homes in the wake of Hurricane Milton and is working to prevent Floridians from returning when it is safe. The claim, citing only “incoming information” without specifying the source, states that “the evacuation order is to force people out of Florida and forbid them from leaving.”
“Delta Force personnel [are] “We are advising FEMA’s leadership and developing an area denial enforcement plan that will be enforced at gunpoint if necessary,” the post continues. “We are hearing that FEMA is unable to have enough armed personnel on the ground and is effectively in a state of panic. Resistance is expected.”
There is no evidence for this claim. I can’t trust it news organization FEMA reported preventing people from returning to their homes. Furthermore, DeSantis Executive Order 24-214 This would give the state coordinator the power to direct all government agencies and law enforcement agencies to “allow Floridians to return to their property when it is reasonably safe to do so.” This order is updated The next day, the state of emergency will be expanded to 51 counties in the state.
Additionally, FEMA rumors fact sheet The program states that “we cannot seize your property or land,” providing further evidence that the post’s original claims are false. Hurricane Milton came on the heels of Hurricane Helen, which devastated the Sunshine State and several other areas along the East Coast. (Related: Fact Check: Is the U.S. Government Using Technology to Manipulate Gulf of Mexico Storms?)
According to CBS Newsthe upcoming hurricane could be the worst in decades for the Tampa Bay area and is expected to make landfall early Thursday morning. Contrary to false claims urging people to “stand your ground,” the state of Florida warned residents on Tuesday, October 8, to evacuate before it is too late to move to a safer location. NBC News.
Check Your Fact has reached out to FEMA for comment.
