FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters Tuesday the misinformation around Hurricane Helene is “absolutely the worst I have ever seen.”

Former President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign asked North Carolina leaders for election changes that could allow for more unregistered voters to cast ballots. The request from the former president’s campaign came as the state Board of Elections and the state legislature eased some voting rules for people whose lives have been disrupted by Hurricane Helene.

Trump and his allies are appropriating the suffering of Helene’s victims into their own preexisting narrative.

It’s absolutely the worst that I have ever seen,” Ms. Criswell said during a phone call with reporters on Tuesday morning. Misinformation and rumors often circulate amid natural disasters, as information is scarce and tensions are high.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said Tuesday that rumors and disinformation will become a regular part of natural disaster response moving forward, and rebuked those seeking to benefit politically from spreading false information.