• FEMA spokesperson dismissed reports about avoiding “ice” terminology as “clickbait” despite agency’s recent posts using “freezing rain” instead
• Two sources say DHS officials informally directed staff to avoid the word amid ongoing ICE enforcement controversy in Minneapolis
• Agency’s Thursday and Friday social media warnings notably excluded the term “ice” while describing the dangerous winter weather system

WASHINGTON (TDR) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency strongly denied reports that Department of Homeland Security officials directed staff to avoid using the word “ice” in winter storm messaging, calling the claims “clickbait” journalism. However, the agency’s recent social media posts about the massive storm system sweeping across the United States notably avoided the term, instead using phrases like “freezing rain” and “cold temps” to describe hazardous conditions that include significant ice accumulations.

Two sources familiar with the directive told CNN that DHS officials informally advised FEMA disaster response staff Thursday to use alternative terminology, expressing concerns that phrases like “watch out for ice” could be misinterpreted or turned into internet memes given ongoing controversy surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE. The guidance comes as ICE operations in Minneapolis have sparked massive protests and heightened tensions over immigration enforcement.

The directive comes as states across the South brace for potentially devastating ice accumulations, with some areas expecting a quarter-inch or more of freezing precipitation. Officials reportedly told staff they worry that certain storm warning phrasing could be quickly turned into internet fodder, especially as ICE operations remain a flashpoint in cities like Minneapolis.

FEMA Issues Strong Denial Amid Messaging Shift

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A FEMA spokesperson issued a forceful pushback against the reporting Friday, dismissing the claims as sensationalism that distracts from life-saving disaster preparedness information.

“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.”

Despite this denial, FEMA’s own social media activity appeared to align with the reported guidance. A Thursday night tweet warned about “heavy snow, freezing rain & cold temps” expected across many states this weekend, which could cause damage and widespread power outages—without once mentioning the word “ice.” Another post on X Friday similarly avoided the term, stating a major winter weather system is expected to bring “heavy snow, freezing rain and dangerous cold across much of the U.S., creating risks for travel, power and safety.”

The omission is notable given that meteorologists and state officials have repeatedly emphasized that ice accumulation represents the most dangerous aspect of this particular storm system. States across the South are bracing for potentially devastating ice accumulations, with some areas expecting a quarter-inch or more of freezing precipitation that could snap power lines and topple trees.

“If FEMA says, ‘Keep off the roads if you see ice,’ it would be easy for the public to meme it,” a source with knowledge of the guidance told CNN. “I think it’s a dangerous precedent to set.”

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According to the sources, FEMA staff have been encouraged to use terms like “freezing rain” in their public messaging instead of the word “ice.” Officials reportedly told staff they worry that certain storm warning phrasing could be quickly turned into internet fodder, especially as ICE operations remain a flashpoint in cities like Minneapolis.

Storm Threat Remains Severe Regardless Of Terminology

The looming storm threatens to snap power lines, topple trees, and turn roads treacherous across more than 2,000 miles from Texas to New England, impacting nearly three dozen states. Hundreds of thousands could lose power for days, largely from the damage that heavy ice accumulation could do to electrical grids.

ICE Controversy Drives Messaging Concerns

The guidance from Department of Homeland Security officials—which oversees both FEMA and ICE—comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement operations. The Trump administration has deployed more than 3,000 federal immigration personnel to Minneapolis since December in what officials have dubbed Operation Metro Surge.

Over the past six weeks, officers have apprehended more than 3,000 undocumented immigrants, according to DHS. However, the operation has sparked massive protests and controversy, particularly after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and legal observer, on January 7 during enforcement operations in south Minneapolis.

“We have arrested over 10,000 criminal illegal aliens who were killing Americans, hurting children and reigning terror in Minneapolis because Tim Walz and Jacob Frey refuse to protect their own people and instead protect criminals,” said Secretary Kristi Noem.

Thousands of protesters gathered in subzero temperatures Friday in downtown Minneapolis as part of a statewide “ICE Out of Minnesota: A Day of Truth and Freedom” protest. Hundreds of businesses across Minnesota closed their doors in solidarity, with labor unions, faith leaders, and community activists organizing the economic blackout.

Media Figures Question Messaging Strategy

CNN anchor Jake Tapper expressed disbelief at the reported directive during Friday’s broadcast of The Lead, calling it “another incredibly idiotic story.”

“When you say ‘freezing rain,’ that makes me think, ‘Oh, I’ll put on a raincoat.’ It doesn’t make me think ‘ice,'” Tapper said. “Because they’re afraid of memes. Meanwhile, lives are on the line. Another incredibly idiotic story.”

CNN correspondent Gabe Cohen explained DHS officials worry that posting something like “watch out for the ice” could become an opportunity for a meme or public ridicule against the department.

“Part of the problem here, as I talked to agency officials about this, is they’re saying, ‘What we’re talking about is ice and what we’re talking about is saving lives,'” Cohen said during the broadcast.

The irony of the situation has not been lost on critics, who note the White House and President Donald Trump himself often employ memes in their public messaging. Earlier this week, the official White House account posted on social media a fake image of one of the people arrested in Minnesota after they interrupted a church service to protest a pastor who appears to be a top ICE official.

Federal Storm Response Continues

Despite the messaging controversy, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Friday that FEMA has deployed Incident Management Teams to Louisiana, Texas, and Virginia, with a dozen other states on standby as the winter storm system approaches.

“FEMA is actively working with states to monitor and prepare for the severe winter storm which is forecasted to produce heavy snow, dangerous freezing rain, and life-threatening wind chills across most of the U.S. this weekend,” Noem said in a statement.

The agency has activated its National Response Coordination Center and Regional Response Coordination Centers in FEMA Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 to synchronize federal readiness and interagency coordination. FEMA’s strategically located distribution centers across the South and East are collectively stocked with over 7 million meals, more than 2 million liters of water, over 600,000 blankets, and more than 300 generators.

“The time to prepare is now. The agency urges people to pay attention to local officials and take any necessary actions to keep safe as severe winter weather moves across the nation,” Noem’s statement continued.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a “significant, long-duration winter storm” stretching from the southern Rockies to New England, bringing heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to a large swath of the country at least through Monday. The storm is likely to bring frigid temperatures, gusty winds, and dangerous wind chills to the north-central United States.

Minneapolis Tensions Continue

The state of Minnesota and the Twin Cities filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing the widespread federal immigration operations constitute “a federal invasion of the Twin Cities.” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have been vocal critics of the enforcement surge.

“President Trump expressed the root of his displeasure in plain terms during a recorded interview: he essentially claimed that Minnesota is ‘corrupt’ and ‘crooked’ because its officials accurately reported election results and those results did not declare him the winner,” the lawsuit states.

Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis Thursday to show support for ICE operations and told reporters the government takes allegations of racial profiling seriously. However, protesters and local officials have alleged aggressive and unlawful tactics by federal agents.

On Thursday night, DHS informed FEMA staff that disaster worker terminations would be halted due to the massive impending winter storm. The agency said in an email it would “cease offboarding” for disaster workers whose employment contracts are set to expire in the coming days, though it was not specified how long the pauses would last.

Should federal emergency agencies modify weather terminology to avoid political associations, or does accurate public safety messaging take precedence over potential online mockery?

Sources

This report was compiled using information from CNN’s reporting on the FEMA directive, official statements by the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, reporting by The Hill, Fox News, NPR, The Washington Post, and Mediaite, coverage by WAAY-TV and CBS News, and DHS information on Operation Metro Surge.

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