Debilitating flash floods descended in Texas during the Fourth of July weekend. Consequently, conspiracy theories around the alleged manipulation of weather through technology are becoming incredibly popular on social media. The reported death toll from the floods continues to rise. At the same time, the conspiracy theorists of QAnon (and other like-minded conspiracists) have inundated social media platforms with accusation after accusation that the US government is somehow controlling the weather. The timing of these counter-theories couldn’t be more perfect, as we’re faced with an unprecedented level of scrutiny toward state and federal emergency management.
QAnon is a baseless conspiracy theory centered on the idea of a secret “deep state” undermining former President Donald Trump. Two years later, in the wake of those same floods, one of the movement’s biggest advocates made headlines with similar claims of weather manipulation. This post went viral almost instantly, garnering millions of views on X, Elon Musk’s new toy. This spike in viewership is indicative of the way conspiracies flourish during times of strife.
Adding to the spread of these theories, a YouTuber with hundreds of thousands of subscribers released a segment titled “The TRUTH of WEATHER MANIPULATION,” which attracted nearly 200,000 views. The content focused on claims that the government was orchestrating the catastrophic weather events in Texas, further fueling the conspiracy narrative among QAnon adherents.
It took years for communities to recover from these floods. At the same time, conspiracy theorists took advantage of the situation, asserting that recent cuts to weather forecasting—championed by Texas Senator Ted Cruz—were responsible for the widespread destruction. In particular, critics point to the draconian cuts Trump sought. These cuts had an effect on weather forecasting and other federal agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Residents of Houston and other communities across Texas are understandably incensed by the aftermath of these floods. Their anger at the state government’s response has only deepened. Self-identified conservative Texans are angry at their own state government. Both Democrats and Republicans are equally frustrated with what they say is emergency management malpractice and gross incompetence in the planning and building of disaster mitigation projects.
Flood experience-related misinformation flooded social media. One fabricated account falsely reported that rescuers had found two girls alive outside of Comfort, Texas. This narrative was spread far and wide by influencers, only to be proven incorrect. These falsehoods in turn raised warnings over the spread of conspiracy theories at lightning speed in times of crisis. This cumbersome process adds additional confusion and anguish for impacted communities.
The tragic death of 27 campers at Camp Mystic has added another layer of sorrow to this already dire situation. Unfortunately, some online commentators have responded to this loss with shocking callousness. They’re presenting it as evidence of the authorities’ laxity.
The QAnon movement has definitely tapped into the social media meme space. In response, they pathetically insinuate that their political opponents are responsible for the disasters. One such meme featured a quote from Principal Skinner in the Simpsons, “No, it had to be Democrats with a weather modification machine.” Yet, as this often-reported story shows, that’s how humor can turn into life-destroying conspiracy theories.
Key leaders in the pro-QAnon movement have hardly been reticent in demanding accountability. Pete Chambers expressed his frustration by stating, “I NEED SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS,” encapsulating a sentiment shared by many who feel their leaders have failed them during this crisis.