Confusion and Frustration Reign as Erroneous Facebook Post Prompts Eaton Fire Evacuees to Seek Home Access
A wave of confusion and frustration swept through the Eaton fire evacuation zone in Altadena on Friday afternoon as evacuees, misled by an erroneous Facebook post from the city of Pasadena, flocked to National Guard barricades expecting to be granted temporary access to their homes. The post, which claimed law enforcement was permitting residents a single entry with proper verification, spread rapidly through text messages, neighborhood chat groups, and social media platforms. Hopeful residents, clutching screenshots of the post, rushed to the blocked-off roads only to be turned away by perplexed National Guard members who had received no such instructions. The incident underscored the challenges of effective communication during a crisis, adding another layer of stress to residents already displaced by the devastating wildfire.
The false information, attributed to an "error" by Pasadena city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian, remained online for approximately an hour, ample time for it to disseminate widely. Despite its swift deletion, the lack of immediate clarification from the city compounded the confusion. For hours, evacuees gathered at barricades like New York Drive and Sinaloa Avenue, some waiting for up to two hours in vain. While Derderian apologized for the misstep, attributing it to the unprecedented nature of the incident, the damage was already done. The false hope engendered by the post ultimately led to disappointment and frustration for numerous residents eager to retrieve essential belongings or check on their properties.
During a 4 p.m. community meeting, Altadena Sheriff’s Station Capt. Jabari Williams addressed the misinformation, stating unequivocally that Altadena remained a mandatory evacuation zone and all roads were closed. He apologized for the "rumors" and assured residents that a repopulation plan was underway. Williams emphasized that the reopening would be managed by law enforcement to ensure the safety and security of residents and their properties. The Sheriff’s department committed to maintaining a presence in the area, conducting extra patrols to safeguard homes and businesses. Despite these assurances, the incident further eroded public trust in official communication channels, leaving many residents feeling uncertain and anxious about the future.
The Eaton fire incident highlighted broader concerns regarding emergency communications in the region, coming on the heels of widespread criticism of Los Angeles County’s emergency alert system. Residents across the county, including those far from active fire zones, continued to receive erroneous evacuation alerts, adding to the sense of anxiety and confusion. The combination of these communication failures underscored the urgent need for improved emergency alert protocols and clearer communication strategies during crises. The incident illustrated the potential for social media and digital communication to both disseminate vital information and spread misinformation rapidly, highlighting the critical need for accurate and timely updates from official sources.
The frustration of the evacuees was palpable as they encountered the National Guard roadblocks. Some pleaded with the guardsmen, explaining their urgent need for medication, important documents, or clothing. One guard member, apologetic yet firm, described the difficult position of having to turn away distressed residents, knowing their homes remained inaccessible. The scene underscored the human cost of the communication breakdown, with individuals forced to endure prolonged displacement and uncertainty due to an avoidable error. The lack of clear information about the repopulation timeline further fueled the anxiety, leaving evacuees with no concrete timeframe for returning to their homes and lives.
Among those affected were Cydney McCurdy and her elderly parents, who had been evacuated from their La Paz Road home since Tuesday. Like many others, they arrived at the barricade after receiving a text message with a screenshot of the misleading Pasadena Facebook post. They waited for two hours, hoping for access to retrieve crucial financial documents and insurance papers. McCurdy’s father, 88-year-old Roy McCurdy, expressed his weariness and frustration, emphasizing the emotional toll of the evacuation and the added burden of the false information. Their story exemplifies the shared experience of many evacuees, caught in a limbo of uncertainty and struggling to cope with the displacement and disruption caused by the fire. The incident served as a stark reminder of the critical importance of accurate and reliable communication in emergency situations, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly.