How natural disasters are exploited to manipulate people online

In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene pummeled the mountains of North Carolina, causing massive floods that uprooted trees and swept away entire homes. Remote communities were cut off from relief efforts after the storm damaged bridges and roads. But an unanticipated element caused chaos and confusion in the disaster's aftermath: the arrival of white nationalists, militias, conspiracy theorists and far-right groups. Some of them were armed, straining local law enforcement. …