Latest Fact-Checks In Natural Disasters

Clear

Ted Cruz
stated on August 28, 2017 an MSNBC interview

"Two-thirds of the (Hurricane Sandy relief) bill had nothing to do with Sandy."

Mostly False

By Jon Greenberg • August 30, 2017

Roy Cooper
stated on October 11, 2016 a debate

"Gov. (Pat) McCrory took $500,000 directly out of the disaster relief fund. And you know what it’s for? House Bill 2."

Half-True

By Will Doran • October 19, 2016

Bobby Jindal
stated on July 15, 2015 comments on "Fox News Sunday"

"In New Orleans, nearly 100 percent of our kids are in charter schools."

True

By Anna Bruzgulis • July 16, 2015

Joe Garcia
stated on September 5, 2014 a web ad

Says U.S. House candidate Carlos Curbelo "supported raising flood insurance rates."

False

By Amy Sherman • September 16, 2014

Dana Perino
stated on April 22, 2014 a broadcast of "The Five" on Fox News

"A lot of the problems with forest fires ... is because of bad policy (not to clear out the forests) that was put in place by environmentalists."

Mostly False

By Jon Greenberg • May 1, 2014

Chris Christie
stated on February 4, 2013 an interview on the “Late Show with David Letterman”

Says "in Katrina, they approved $60 billion within 10 days of the storm on a voice vote."

Half-True

By Bill Wichert • February 6, 2013

Robert Menendez
stated on December 27, 2012 a speech on the Senate floor

Says "10 days after Hurricane Katrina, this chamber passed two separate bills amounting to $60 billion. It has been nearly two months since we had Superstorm Sandy, and nothing has passed."

True

By Bill Wichert • January 3, 2013

Jim Hightower
stated on September 6, 2011 an interview.

Says Rick Perry and the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature "managed to slash the budget of the volunteer fire departments in our state by 75 percent in the last legislative session," reducing their abilities to fight recent wildfires.

False

By W. Gardner Selby • September 13, 2011

Jay Carney
stated on May 10, 2011 a press gaggle

Says the Obama Administration has fulfilled all of Texas’ requests for fire management assisting grants.

Mostly True

May 30, 2011

Todd Staples
stated on May 12, 2011 a Texas Tribune interview

Says the Obama administration approved a major disaster declaration for Oklahoma in 2009, when nine of the state’s 77 counties burned for "about three days," while Texas wildfires have been burning for longer without such a declaration.

Mostly True

May 30, 2011

Chain email
stated on July 25, 2010 an e-mail

After Hurricane Katrina, "Dallas and San Antonio took in 5,000 to 10,000 refugees each, but (Bill) White brought in 250,000 and put them up in his 'buddies' empty apartment buildings and let the federal government pay their rents for over two years. They did not return to New Orleans, most of them are on welfare."

False

September 19, 2010

Joe Biden
stated on September 15, 2008 St. Clair Shores, Mich.

"When George Bush said we shouldn't investigate why the government's response to Hurricane Katrina was so incompetent, John McCain stood with him."

Half-True

September 15, 2008

John McCain
stated on June 4, 2008 a news conference in Baton Rouge, La.

"I've supported every investigation (into Hurricane Katrina) and ways of finding out how – what caused the tragedy. I've met with people on the ground. I've met with the governor."

Mostly False

By Adriel Bettelheim • June 11, 2008

Previous