URGENT UPDATE: A significant public safety alert was mistakenly broadcast to thousands of cellphones across Los Angeles County on Tuesday night, November 11, at 5:50 PM. South Pasadena officials confirmed that a test alert was erroneously sent to a much larger area than intended, causing confusion among residents.
The alert, which stated, “This is a test of the South Pasadena WEA (Weather Emergency Alert) system. There is no emergency,” triggered notifications on phones not only in South Pasadena but also in distant regions, including Orange and San Luis Obispo counties. Jennifer Colby, a spokesperson for the City of South Pasadena, reported that the city is actively investigating how the alert was disseminated so widely.
The incident echoes previous false alarm situations in the area. Earlier this year, the Los Angeles County Fire Department faced backlash after sending multiple incorrect alerts during the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires. A report by U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Long Beach, revealed that a software error caused one such alert, which warned of evacuations during the Kenneth fire, to reach millions of residents across the county.
Authorities are increasingly concerned about the implications of these false alerts. State legislators have raised alarms over the potential for “alert fatigue,” warning that repeated erroneous notifications could lead residents to ignore genuine emergencies in the future. Discussions are underway about the possibility of implementing a state-run emergency alert system to enhance reliability.
Residents have taken to social media platforms such as Reddit to express their surprise and confusion over the alert, with many reporting they received the message despite being miles away from South Pasadena. The city’s public safety officials are expected to provide further updates as their investigation unfolds.
As this situation develops, residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and verify any emergency communications they receive. More information will be released as authorities work to ensure accurate and reliable alert systems in the future.
