Homeland Security authorities were reportedly telling the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday not to use the word "ice" in its public messaging as a monster storm was expected to hit the United States.
Two people who were familiar with the command told CNN that federal officials were worried that using the word while states brace for the frigid weather could create confusion or even mockery online — specifically memes — amid the federal agency's aggressive tactics that have come under public scrutiny.
"Officials told staff they worry that certain phrasing – like 'watch out for ice' – could be misinterpreted or quickly turned into internet fodder, especially as ICE operations remain a flashpoint in cities like Minneapolis and beyond," CNN reported. "That would take away from the purpose of the messages, meant to protect people in danger over the next few days, the officials said."
“If FEMA says, ‘Keep off the roads if you see ice,’ it would be easy for the public to meme it,” a source told the outlet. “I think it’s a dangerous precedent to set. If we can’t use clear language to help prepare Americans, then people may be left vulnerable and could suffer.”
FEMA staff was apparently directed to use terms and phrases like “freezing rain” instead.
A FEMA spokesperson denied the claim that this was the case in a response to CNN.
“'Reporting’ like this reads like a desperate ploy for clickbait rather than real journalism that actually gives Americans disaster preparedness information that could save lives. FEMA will use correct and accurate descriptors of weather conditions to communicate clearly to the American people," the spokesperson said.
