10 Million LA County Residents Panic After Erroneous Emergency Alert

Los Angeles County residents were confused when nearly every phone in the county received an emergency evacuation alert. The alert, which was to be sent to only those people living near the Kenneth Fire in West Hills, reached almost 10 million people, causing massive panic.
I just spent the last 22 minutes frantically trying to confirm the evacuation warning on official online maps until finally the “disregard” text came in. 🤦🏻 pic.twitter.com/8We9XN0T0y
— Peter James Smith (@PJSActor) January 10, 2025
The message, read to urge residents to "gather loved ones, pets, and supplies" and prepare for evacuation, sent many people into fear of an immediate, large-scale emergency. Officials quickly acknowledged that there was an error when LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn confirmed the alert was the result of a technical glitch on social media.
Someone just sent an evacuation warning to all of LA County… pic.twitter.com/HXbVF390s3
— Scanner Pacific (@ScannerPacific) January 9, 2025
A correction was issued 22 minutes later, clarifying that the evacuation warning was only meant for areas affected by the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills. Residents expressed frustration and anxiety, taking to social media to share their experiences. Some were humorous in critiquing the tone of the follow-up alert, while others described the panic caused by the initial message.
This incident has raised questions about the reliability and accuracy of the emergency alert system. As wildfire season continues, officials are emphasizing the need to enhance the system so that such errors do not occur again and the public is assured during critical times.