An evacuation notice issued across Los Angeles County sent residents into a state of panic as they rushed to respond to the historic wildfires — only to realize shortly after that the alert had been sent in error.
On Thursday night, phone alarms blared as a message advised residents to “gather loved ones, pets, and supplies” and leave their homes.
“An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued in your area,” the message stated.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn confirmed on X that the alert had been a mistake.
“I have been informed the evacuation warning that many of us just receiving on our phones was mistakenly issued countywide due to a technical error,” she posted.
“A correction will be issued shortly.”
Hahn explained that the warning was intended only for areas affected by the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills.
Just minutes later, a correction was sent out: “Disregard last EVACUATION WARNING. It was for Kenneth Fire Only.”
“To unnecessarily panic an entire county that has already been on edge for two days is beyond negligent. I am livid,” said Bernie Zillo, a reporter for Page Six who lives in Los Angeles with her husband, baby, and dog.
“I immediately started packing our bags, which have been by the door for two days, as my husband continued to watch the news. The anchors’ phones went off at the same time ours did, and everyone lives in different places, so their first instinct was to question whether the alert was legitimate.”
Zillo said she realized the notification had been a mistake when it was confirmed by news reports, with the correction arriving shortly thereafter.
“Do they know the mayhem that is going to ensue? The traffic? How many people won’t trust the actual alerts that come through now? My heart is still racing,” she remarked.
The fires, which began early Tuesday morning, have since consumed nearly 30,000 acres (47 square miles) of land in Los Angeles County, causing widespread devastation and forcing evacuations. At least five lives have been lost, with the death toll expected to rise.
{Matzav.com}
09
Jan
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