Misleading Rumors Create Chaos for Hurricane Helene Victims in Savannah

Misleading Rumors Cause Confusion Among Savannah Residents

Savannah, Ga. (Oct 16, 2024)

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many people in Savannah are still trying to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately, a false online rumor has added to the anxiety and uncertainty faced by those affected. This early Tuesday morning, dozens of people showed up at the Savannah Civic Center and Savannah Tech, waiting in lines as early as 6 a.m., believing they were there to receive assistance in the form of EBT, or electronic benefits cards, to help them purchase food.

The confusion stemmed from a series of misleading social media posts claiming that those who lost food due to the hurricane-related power outages would be receiving SNAP benefits without the usual proof of income requirement. Kim Teasley, whose aunt was among the many waiting in line, shared her concern about the situation—especially for the many elderly individuals who braved the cold that morning.

“One of my aunts was standing out there this morning for the benefits,” Teasley recounted. “She said there were a lot of elderly people standing there too. It was cold, and when a security guard pulled up, they asked him if they were in the right place to get assistance, and he told them they weren’t issuing anything.”

Understanding the Confusion

As the sun rose over Savannah on Tuesday, more unfortunate news came out—this was not a scheduled event. Both the City of Savannah and Savannah Tech confirmed that there was no such distribution of benefits taking place. They remained puzzled about where the false information originated. “I don’t know the origin of the Facebook post, but it was cruel,” Teasley stated. “It’s very cruel. In Savannah, we don’t do that. Everybody’s trying to help one another. We’re trying to recover from these hurricanes, and people lost a lot of food out here.”

Interestingly, the USDA does offer benefits through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) following a natural disaster. This program allows individuals who may not typically qualify for SNAP to apply if they meet certain criteria and have experienced losses due to the disaster. It’s important to note that even though benefits were announced for several counties in Georgia, including Chatham, these wouldn’t be available until October 21, and the applications for this assistance won’t even be released until that date.

The Aftermath and Steps Forward

Teasley expressed a heartfelt desire for local authorities to get to the bottom of this troublesome rumor, especially considering the impact on vulnerable individuals. “I just pray Mayor Johnson and the police chief can get down to the origin of who put this post out. Older people standing in line with walkers and stuff, it just wasn’t right today.”

If you’re a SNAP recipient and lost food due to Hurricane Helene, there is a way to apply for replacement benefits, though it’s not related to D-SNAP. Additionally, those in qualifying counties can seek disaster relief funds from FEMA, which is separate from the D-SNAP program. For any assistance, it’s best to look for information through official government channels or trusted local organizations like the United Way or the Red Cross.

As Savannah continues to recover from the challenges of Hurricane Helene, it is crucial for the community to come together, remain vigilant, and rely on verified sources for the support that everyone needs during this trying time.