Los Angeles: False evacuation notice causes panic among residents

Los Angeles: False evacuation notice causes panic among residents

A blunder by Los Angeles County officials sent residents of the county into a panic Thursday night as an evacuation order was issued for the entire area due to the devastating wildfires. However, shortly after, it turned out that the notification was sent by mistake.

Residents’ cellphones began ringing with the 112-like warning message urging residents to “gather loved ones, pets and supplies” and evacuate their homes. “An evacuation warning has been issued in your area”the message said.

Source: NY Post

Los Angeles County Supervisor, Janice Hahnadmitted via a post on the X platform that the message was errorwhich angered the already exhausted residents from the constant fires.

“I have just been informed that the evacuation warning that many of us received on our phones was mistakenly issued across the County due to a technical error”he wrote. “Correction will be issued soon”.

Hahn explained that the alert was only for the areas affected by the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills. Indeed, a few minutes later a corrective notice was sent: “Ignore the previous evacuation warning. It was only about the fire Kenneth”.

Source: NY Post

This error caused new wave of criticism to California officials, with several na demand the resignations of the governor Gavin Newsom and the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bassfor crisis management.

“The fake alert totally freaked me out”the Los Angeles resident told the New York Post. “I was on the phone with my family who were worried about me when the message popped up on my phone. I immediately got up and started packing, even though I live in the city center. I didn’t stop until I heard on the news that journalists had mistakenly received the same notification. It was irresponsible, irritating and caused panic for no reason.”.

Others expressed their outrage on social media. “Good job Los Angeles County sending out the wrong countywide evacuation notice and freaking out so many people”wrote a user on Platform X.

“My poor upstairs neighbor panicked and ran away”.

“What a complete and utter failure of you all”another user commented. “Imagine getting this message after everything that has happened in the last 24-48 hours”.

Some, however, tried to see her positive side of the situation. “I think everyone has been on high alert for the last 48-72 hours”a resident told the NY Post on condition of anonymity. “More good has been done with the evacuations than bad. I think everyone needs a little understanding right now. We’re all doing our best!”

The Mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bassaccepts severe criticism for her absence from the city during the start of the fires, as she was in Ghana to attend the inauguration of the country’s President. He was also criticized for cuts to the fire department budget by tens of millions of dollars.

Since her return to town on Wednesday, Bass avoids reporterswhile during a press conference urged those affected to visit the ‘URL’without mentioning the website address.

His reporter Sky NewsDavid Blevins, asked her at the airport if she owed the citizens an apology for her absence while their homes were burning. Bass didn’t answer, while he continued: “Do you regret cutting the fire department budget by millions of dollars, Madam Mayor?”

Bass remained silentwith the journalist insisting: “Don’t you have anything to say today? Elon Musk says you’re completely incompetent — are you thinking about quitting?’

Bass remained motionless, staring into space as Blevins continued to ask questions.



Source: www.enikos.gr