News desk
News and fact checks
When a preparedness headline goes viral, we check it against what officials actually said and tell you what it means for your home. We also report on what our live weather alert and power outage data show.
For journalists: figures by state, utility or alert type on request from hello@preparedstates.com.
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FEMA aid after Hurricane Isaias in Florida: who can apply, the steps and how to spot scams
FEMA aid for Hurricane Isaias covers households in 8 Florida Panhandle counties, Santa Rosa among them. The four ways to apply, what to have ready and how to spot scams.
October 30, 2026, 11:23 PM ET
Did a cyberattack break freezers at US military bases? What is confirmed, and your freezer
Verdict: Suspected, not confirmed. Reported only at base stores.
October 30, 2026, 5:55 PM ET
AM radio in every car: where the bill stands, and what carries alerts in an outage
October 30, 2026, 11:26 AM ET
Is the US government telling Americans to stockpile? What the UK, Japan and the US actually say
Verdict: UK: 3 days. Japan: 3 days to a week. US: no new advice.
October 30, 2026, 11:26 AM ET
Gas averages over $4 a gallon: what it costs your household a month, and 3 ways to spend less
October 30, 2026, 11:14 AM ET
Dreo space heaters recalled for fire hazard: how to check your model and what to do
October 30, 2026, 11:03 AM ET
Is Vance bringing flash flooding to Texas on Halloween? What the forecasts say
Verdict: Real for Thursday and Friday in West Texas. Halloween night looks drier.
October 29, 2026, 4:10 PM ET
Is a cold November ahead because the polar vortex is acting up early?
Verdict: Vortex talk is real. NOAA favors a warmer November for much of the US.
October 29, 2026, 9:51 AM ET
Is the US preparing for nuclear war? The 'doomsday planes' drill, explained
Verdict: Real drill, held every year. STRATCOM says it isn't a response to any event.
October 28, 2026, 6:54 PM ET
Will food prices climb higher in 2027? What the World Bank warning means for US groceries
Verdict: True for world commodity prices. US grocery forecasts are far lower.
October 28, 2026, 6:54 PM ET
Could bird flu on a Utah mink farm spark a pandemic? What is confirmed
Verdict: Real outbreak. No human cases found, but workers weren't tested.
October 28, 2026, 9:18 AM ET
Is there a gas shortage in Nebraska? Why some Omaha pumps keep running dry
Verdict: Both true: real outages at some stations, from a tight regional supply.
October 28, 2026, 9:18 AM ET
Are Americans being told to stock up on 7 items for a 'devastating' El Niño winter?
Verdict: Real El Niño. No agency issued a 7-item list.
October 27, 2026, 6:08 PM ET
Did Dan Bongino tell Americans to stockpile? What he said, and what FEMA advises
Verdict: He said it. The UK's advice is 3 days, not 30.
October 27, 2026, 6:07 PM ET
Is a winter storm hitting 7 states with 16 inches of snow? What the warnings say
Verdict: Real snow, but the big numbers are in Alaska's mountains.
October 26, 2026, 1:00 PM ET
Is a 90-day blackout coming? What the Pentagon's plan for bases means for your home
Verdict: Real plan, for bases. No new advice for homes.
October 26, 2026, 11:27 AM ET