Fake videos of the hurricanes are going viral. How to spot old and fake footage online.

As Hurricane Milton devastated the west coast of Florida, dozens of misleading or AI-generated videos spread across social media, garnering millions of views across all platforms. A video that was falsely claimed to be of Milton was actually filmed at a 2021 Northeast Festival in Massachusetts. Another montage, which had 1.5 million views on X, featured AI-generated footage.

Experts say Misleading images regularly go viral after major natural disasters, often with the aim of gathering opinions or spreading false claims. The National Weather Service has previously warned on social media about “false or intentionally inaccurate severe weather reports” that included photos or videos of events “that occurred months to several years ago.”

Cayce Myers, a public relations professor at Virginia Tech, said viral AI-generated images during Hurricane Helene illustrate the challenges of AI and social media.

“AI technology offers greater ability to create realistic images that are deceptive,” Myers said, adding, “The problem is that these fake images are influencing people’s perceptions of reality, and social media is fueling the spread of this disinformation. “

How to spot fake videos online

The CBS News Confirmed team put together the following tips on how to spot fake videos that often pop up after natural disasters:

1. Take a moment to think about the media you watch. Does the footage appear to match other photos and videos of the shooting location, or are there things that seem out of place? Are there elements that suggest the video was faked, such as the unrealistic-looking waves in this AI-generated TikTok video?
2. Search for other photos or videos of the same place or scene. What do the other angles show and do they seem to agree? If not, it’s possible that the footage is either from a previous weather event or possibly AI-generated.

   Julia Feerrar, an associate professor at Virginia Tech, said search engines are helpful in this case: “Describing the image and adding the term ‘fact check’ to your search is often the quickest way to get more information and debunk misleading content .”

3. Check which reputable sources, including media outlets and journalists, are reporting to see if their reports match the content you’ve found online. Look for official statements from government officials or content posted on their verified social media accounts or websites.

   For example, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety published fact checks on AI-generated content and other misinformation that circulated online during Hurricane Helene.

Keep in mind that some of these videos circulating on social media are simply recycling old footage.

Social Media Guidelines on Weather Misinformation

House Democrats from states affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton wrote a letter Friday to seven tech companies, including Facebook, TikTok and “recovery efforts and exploitation of vulnerable individuals and families” in the wake of Helene.

When contacted by CBS News, Meta and TikTok said both companies are actively working to remove content that violates their policies.

A TikTok spokesperson said the company directs people who search for Milton or Helene content on its platform to official videos from FEMA, adding that the company works with 19 independent fact-checking organizations worldwide.

Meta said it removes content that violates its Community Standards guidelines and works with 10 third-party fact-checking organizations in the U.S. to debunk false claims or limit the reach of content if it is determined to be false.

A representative for X did not respond to a request for comment.

Beyond CBS News Confirmed’s tips for identifying weather misinformation online, nonprofit think tank RAND has developed a 17-point checklist with more information on how to avoid spreading false claims or misleading media during natural disasters.