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Winter weather: Bumblebee photos of Texas cities covered in snow
A record-breaking winter storm continues to pour snow over the state of Texas.
Staff Video, USA TODAY
The claim: FEMA offers hotel rooms to Texas residents affected by power outages and need shelter
While power has been restored to millions of Texans affected by icy weather, more than 224,000 are still without power, leaving them struggling with the fierce cold temperatures that are expected to continue.
But one social media report claims that the Federal Emergency Management Agency offers ample help.
“FEMA PAYS FOR HOTEL ROOMS !!!” reads Facebook user LaMont James in a message on February 17th. James provides a toll-free number and encourages others to share the information.
The report, which has received more than 1,900 likes, is among many on Facebook, claiming that the agency provides warm shelters for the needy. Other posts make similar claims but provide a different toll-free number.
USA TODAY has reached out to the users sharing the post.
More: Fact check: The image of frozen boats is from 2005 ice storm in Switzerland, not Texas
Not a real phone number
USA TODAY dialed the number in the first post, which was linked to the internet’s technical help desk.
FEMA’s official Twitter page for its regional office, which oversees Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma, said the toll-free number is not valid.
“A fake phone number is being shared with a message about FEMA paying for disaster relief hotels in Texas. This is a scam,” the February 18 tweet.
Congressman Marc Veasey, representing the 33rd Texas District of Congress, also confirmed that the number was a scam.
“Social media messages have suggested that FEMA will offer hotel rooms to those who provide certain personal information. FEMA does not offer this assistance and never shares your identifying information without proof that the individuals work for a federal agency,” Veasey said in A Feb. 18 Facebook post.
While the second toll-free number on the list is FEMA’s disaster relief helpline, Earl Armstrong, spokesman for FEMA, Region 6, TODAY, told the U.S. that there is no official statement for financial aid or hotel reimbursement. not.
FEMA Region 6 calls on the public to go to local officials and the Texas Division of Emergency Management for accurate information sources.
More: Fact check: Viral statement claiming to come from power plant in Texas is false
FEMA sends help
On February 14, President Joe Biden, according to a press release, approved sending emergency relief to Texas.
“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize and provide the necessary equipment and resources at its discretion to alleviate the effects of the emergency. Emergency protective measures for mass care and shelter and direct federal assistance will be provided at 75% federal funding,” declares the statement of 14 February released by FEMA.
FEMA Region 6 is expected to provide “generators and fuel to support critical areas such as hospitals and water facilities; 729,000 gallons of water; and more than 50,000 cotton blankets,” according to both his Twitter and Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, at a news conference on February 17.
More: Fact check: Frozen wind turbines do not deserve all the blame for barriers in Texas
Our verdict: False
We review the claim that FEMA offers hotel rooms to Texas residents in need of shelter during the power outage FALSE, based on our research. FEMA Region 6, which looks out for first aid for Texas and surrounding states, said on its official Twitter page that the offer was a scam. While the second toll-free number is actually FEMA’s disaster relief helpline, FEMA Region 6 has denied providing financial assistance or compensation to hotels. FEMA will provide state aid with generators, water and warm blankets.
Our sources for fact checking:
- CBS News, February 19, “Winter storm destroys Texas as power outage continues”
- USA TODAY, Feb. 19, “Another winter storm hits Northeast, Mid-Atlantic; 224K still without power in Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas, sets 1918 snow record”
- Federal Emergency Management Agency, January 5, “Region 6”
- FEMA Region 6, February 18, Twitter thread.
- Rep. Marc Veasey, February 18, Facebook post.
- Earl Armstrong, Feb. 19, telephone interview.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency, February 14, “President Joseph R. Biden Approves Texas Emergency Declaration”
- The White House, 16 February, “Press briefing by press secretary Jen Psaki, 17 February 2021”
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