U.S. Republicans condemn hurricane conspiracy theories spread by their own party

As U.S. officials struggle to push back against misinformation about natural disasters hitting the country, at least three congressional Republicans condemned conspiracy theories repeated by fellow members of their party.

Representative Chuck Edwards, who represents a North Carolina district hit hard by flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in late September, called out the "outrageous rumours" spread by "untrustworthy sources trying to spark chaos."

The flooding decimated much of North Carolina's inland west, an unexpected outcome in a state which is used to dealing with hurricanes along its Atlantic coast.At the time,Florida was bracing for a direct hit from the powerful Hurricane Milton, headed for its western coast.