A Guide To Spotting Fake Hurricane Images Online

A wave of fake, AI-generated photos and videos of Hurricane Erin and its impact on the coast are spreading rapidly across social media platforms. In an era where digital manipulation is increasingly sophisticated, it's more important than ever to be able to distinguish between authentic footage and fabricated content. This guide, inspired by insights from WRAL's 5 On Your Side, will help you separate the fakes from reality.

The Rise of AI-Generated Misinformation

During natural disasters and major news events, misinformation can run rampant. Malicious actors and sometimes even well-intentioned users share dramatic, eye-catching images to gain attention or spread a particular narrative. With the public availability of powerful AI image generators, creating hyper-realistic yet completely false scenes of storm devastation has become easier than ever. These fakes can cause unnecessary panic, spread confusion, and erode trust in legitimate sources.

How to Identify Fake Storm Photos

Before you believe or share an image of Hurricane Erin, take a moment to critically assess it. Look for common tell-tale signs of AI generation:

• Check the Details: AI often struggles with complex details. Look closely at human hands and fingers—are there too many or too few? Are they misshapen? Examine text on signs or buildings; it may appear blurry, nonsensical, or have inconsistent lettering.
• Look for Physical Inconsistencies: Pay attention to how objects interact with the environment. Are shadows falling in the correct direction? Do reflections in water or windows look natural? AI can sometimes create physically impossible scenes.
• Analyze the Source: Where did the image come from? Was it posted by a reputable news organization, a government agency like FEMA or NOAA, or a random, anonymous account with no history? Be skeptical of images that only appear on unverified social media profiles.
• Perform a Reverse Image Search: You can use tools like Google Images or TinEye to search for the image. This can reveal if the photo is old and being repurposed from a different event, or if it has been debunked by fact-checkers.

By staying vigilant and questioning what you see online, you can help stop the spread of harmful misinformation and ensure you and your community are relying on accurate, verified information during the storm.