On Thursday afternoon, millions of residents in Los Angeles County and beyond received a text message warning of an evacuation order, accompanied by a loud buzzing sound. However, officials quickly clarified that the alert was sent in error and was only intended for residents near the Kenneth Fire in Calabasas, Agoura Hills, and West Hills. The message was mistakenly sent to nearly 10 million people, causing panic and fear among recipients already anxious about the ongoing wildfires in the area.
The erroneous alert added to the distress of residents in the greater Los Angeles area, where tens of thousands of acres have been engulfed by fires and entire neighborhoods have been destroyed. Social media users expressed frustration at the mistake, with some noting the impact of such errors during already stressful times.
Despite the false alarm, nearly 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate due to the wildfires, and at least six people have died. Authorities have emphasized that the total number of fatalities is still unknown, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. The mistake serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate and timely communication during emergencies and the need to minimize additional stress and anxiety for those affected by natural disasters.
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