Evacuees from the Eaton Fire showed up one by one to a National Guard blockade in Altadena Friday afternoon, believing they would be allowed one move into the mandatory evacuation zone.
They sent screenshots of Facebook posts from the city of Pasadena to perplexed National Guard members. The post read: “Law enforcement agencies are allowing residents in evacuation areas to evacuate independently.” [time] Access your home with reasonable authorization. We encourage residents to be prepared to collect any necessary documents and items during this one-time entry. ”
However, no entry was allowed.
Pasadena city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said the Facebook post was “in error.” It was reportedly deleted within about an hour after it was published. However, the city did not provide a clear explanation. The post was posted long enough for the screenshot to travel quickly through neighbors’ text message chains and for the text to be copied to the neighborhood’s Ring camera chat group and the Watch Duty app.
For hours Friday afternoon, hopeful evacuees flooded the barricaded streets, only to be denied access, frustrated and confused. At New York Drive and Sinaloa Avenue, some residents waited for two hours.
“We are dealing with an unprecedented incident, so some failure is inevitable,” Derderian said. “I apologize.”
She said she’s glad people are paying attention to the city’s social media accounts.
At a 4 p.m. community meeting regarding the Eaton Fire, Altadena Sheriff’s Department Lt. Jabari Williams apologized for the misinformation spread online.
“We understand that there may have been rumors that people could get in if they had ID,” he said. “That is not the case. At this time, the entire area of Altadena is still considered an evacuation zone and all roads are closed to people coming and going.”
Williams said a repopulation plan is underway and sheriff’s deputies will remain in the area to assist in the repopulation process.
“We’re not going to just walk away and say it’s okay to come in. That could cause problems,” he said. “We have staff in place and additional patrols to ensure your property is protected.”
The mistake comes as residents in the area question authorities’ emergency communications capabilities. County officials said Friday after many Los Angeles-area residents continued to receive false emergency alerts urging them to prepare for evacuations, even though many of them were not near the fires ravaging the sprawling metropolis’ foothills. I apologized.
Altadena is an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County and is not part of neighboring Pasadena. But the Facebook post spread far and wide, prompting many Altadena evacuees to rush home. This post also contained the following accurate information: “In response to a request from Los Angeles County, Governor Newsom [sic] The California National Guard has been deployed to the Los Angeles area, including Pasadena, to assist with law enforcement operations in areas affected by wildfires. The California National Guard is in Pasadena and Altadena protecting homes, businesses and property damaged by the Eaton Fire. ”
KTLA posted an article citing the false post Friday afternoon, which prompted at least one evacuated woman to rush to New York Drive and Sinaloa Avenue, where a National Guard member called the commander to explain. When I asked for permission, I was told that people should continue to be prohibited from entering.
Guardsmen looked apologetic as people came one after another, begging to get medicine, clothing and insurance cards from their homes.
“I’m sorry,” he said to one woman. “I don’t want to keep you away from home.”
Residents gathered around the intersection, frustrated by the lack of details on when they would be allowed access.
Sidney McCurdy and her parents, who had evacuated, were among those who drove to the scene. Both men are in their late 80s and have lived on La Paz Avenue since 1986. They had been speaking with McCurdy at his home in Sylmar all week, saying they needed to obtain financial documents and documents. Documents for insurance companies.
The three showed up at New York Drive and Sinaloa Avenue after a neighbor texted them a screenshot of Pasadena’s Facebook post. They parked their car on the curb and waited for two hours until a security guard said he would contact commanders about the request for entry.
McCurdy said of the evacuation: “One blow can end your life within 30 seconds.” “That’s why everyone comes for a shot to get in.”
His father, Roy McCurdy, 88, a drummer and music teacher, said he was having dinner with his wife Tuesday night when a neighbor knocked on the door and told them to leave immediately. My son who lives nearby lost his home.
On Friday afternoon, McCurdy was tired and frustrated, waiting in a blockade where the air turned to ash.
“They put up a notice saying one-time visits are allowed,” he said. “That’s why everyone is coming. …It’s frustrating.”
He, his daughter and wife waited two hours before concluding that the Facebook post was not true.
Troopers manning the blockade at New York Drive and Allen Avenue said the man showed them a Facebook post, then ducked under yellow police tape and ran past the guard. He said people had been showing up at the barricades for hours in confusion around 3:30 p.m.
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