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Extreme Weather

Winter driving safety: 5 Fast Facts

Weather

Do not plug space heaters into extension cords or power strips

If you’re using a space heater to stay warm, plug it directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords or power strips can overheat, and potentially start a fire.
Winter Guide

No, it is not safe to use an oven to heat your home

Ovens aren’t designed to heat your home. They also pose risks of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning if they are left on for prolonged periods of time.
Electric Vehicles

Yes, electric vehicles lose range in cold weather

The batteries in electric cars drain faster when it’s cold out. Here’s what the research shows.
Extreme Weather

Protecting your home’s pipes in winter weather: VERIFY Fact Sheet

Worried about pipes bursting during cold weather? We VERIFY questions about running appliances, dripping pipes and turning off water.
Weather

Yes, warming up your car before driving in cold weather can damage the engine over time

Excessive idling can cause engine damage, and experts agree that modern gas-powered engines don’t need to warm up to run effectively.
Government

Yes, a FEMA employee told workers to skip homes with Trump signs, but it wasn’t an agency-wide directive

According to FEMA, the employee was fired for her violation of the agency's principles while surveying Hurricane Milton's damage in Florida.
Government

Claims that FEMA workers are being hunted by militia in North Carolina are false

Posts online that say a militia is hunting FEMA workers in North Carolina are false. Police officers arrested a man who made comments about threatening FEMA workers.
Extreme Weather

Starlink’s promise of free service after hurricanes is misleading

Elon Musk’s satellite internet company offered Helene, Milton victims a free month of access. But there’s a $400 catch.
Extreme Weather

Elon’s Starlink promise to Helene, Milton victims misleading

The SpaceX company promised a free month of satellite internet connection to hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina, but for most it will cost hundreds.
Donald Trump

Image of Trump holding a $1,300 check for hurricane relief is fake

A Fox News spokesperson said the image, which looks like it was lifted from a newscast, never aired on the program. VERIFY determined it’s likely generated with AI.
Extreme Weather

No, a ‘1,000-year storm’ doesn’t mean it only happens once every 1,000 years

Meteorologists aren’t referring to the last time a storm of this magnitude happened when they say “100-year” or “1,000-year storm.” We VERIFY what the term means.