In a perfect world, there would be no “storm of the century” with Hurricane Milton slamming Florida, the second major storm to hit the southeastern United States after Helene two weeks ago. There would be no death and destruction, no terrible suffering and loss. Yet, we do not live in such a world. But here’s one terrible circumstance that Americans, whether living on the storm’s track or anywhere else for that matter, should not have to suffer: Irresponsible, loudmouth agitators and hoaxers deliberately spreading misinformation about the weather and these particular storms, Federal Emergency Management Agency employees and other first responders who are working to help victims, and about emergency preparations generally to affect the outcome of the presidential election this year.

Let’s be blunt. Those who seek to manipulate public opinion — and put innocents at greater risk in the process — are despicable and ought to be forced to pay a price, the most obvious being for voters to pay attention to this outrage and cast their ballots accordingly, punishing those candidates who think politics and self-interest “trumps” all. As for the rest, it surely couldn’t hurt for consumers to not buy products from con artists. That list would include billionaire Elon Musk of Tesla and X, a supporter of ex-President Donald Trump, who has been busy posting false claims about FEMA “blocking shipments and seizing goods” from those trying to help Helene victims. And Trump, in turn, has been busy re-spewing the disinformation on his own social media account.

Politics ain’t beanbag. We get that. And FEMA — or any other local, state or federal agency that screws up — ought to be held accountable. But making up rumors out of whole cloth? Playing on fears and distrust when people are especially vulnerable? That’s playing with fire, and it crosses a serious line. Whether it’s an attempt to demonize immigrants further or to draw divisions between the President Joe Biden and Republican governors, enough is enough. Even many in the GOP are repulsed by this. The torrent of false claims must end now. This is a time for all of us to band together and help one another. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell worries that these unconscionable attacks may have already done some damage. We can hope that this “vortex of disinformation,” as North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper calls it, has passed, but we doubt it.