LA County Overhauls Emergency Alert System After Glitch Causes Panic

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County officials announced Saturday that the overhaul of its emergency notification system is nearly complete after a software glitch caused widespread confusion during a deadly firestorm. The faulty system sent out multiple erroneous evacuation alerts to nearly 10 million residents, sparking panic and frustration.

Kevin McGowan, director of L.A. County’s Office of Emergency Management, said the issue stemmed from a software malfunction that caused countywide alerts to be sent instead of targeted messages. “We believe this process is largely complete, and we are working with federal partners and providers to ensure there is not a recurrence of the alerts going out in error,” McGowan said during a news conference Saturday.

The glitch occurred as wildfires ravaged the region, killing at least 13 people and damaging or destroying more than 12,000 structures. Residents received alerts late Thursday and Friday, including in the middle of the night, warning them to evacuate. The messages, intended for specific areas, were mistakenly broadcast countywide, causing widespread alarm.

“This has been frustrating, unacceptable, and the public is in the most need of accurate information,” McGowan said. “We are moving forward rapidly to reestablish that.”

To prevent future errors, the county transitioned from its county-run platform to the state-operated California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) system on Friday. The new system will handle all future emergency alerts, ensuring that only residents in affected areas receive notifications.

Experts warn that such errors can erode public trust in emergency alert systems, potentially endangering lives in future crises. “These emergency alerts helped us evacuate hundreds of thousands of people in immediate life-safety measures. We’ve undoubtedly saved lives,” McGowan said. “But the last couple of days have also reminded us that technology is vulnerable to the impacts of a disaster, especially unprecedented ones.”

Residents expressed frustration over the mishap, which compounded the stress of the ongoing wildfires. Rebecca Alvarez-Petit, a West Los Angeles resident, described the panic she felt when she received the erroneous alert. “It was like a massive panic that I was watching in real-time,” she said. “We’re all on pins and needles, and then this. It’s like — you have got to be kidding me.”

County officials are working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and cellphone providers to investigate the cause of the glitch and prevent future occurrences. Residents do not need to sign up for the new system, as alerts will automatically ping cellphones in designated areas.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath emphasized the importance of accurate communication during emergencies. “Cellphones in an area requiring an alert will get the alert automatically,” she said. “But if residents want further clarification or updates, they can call 211 or sign up for additional text and email alerts.”

As the county works to restore trust in its emergency systems, officials are also enhancing their notification network, including a “two-on-one call” system that connects one person to two others via phone. The goal is to ensure that residents receive timely and accurate information during future crises.