Botched FEMA Alert Incorrectly Ordered New Yorkers to Flee Hurricane Hermine

An accidental FEMA alert was sent out this weekend, which ordered the people of Suffolk County, NY to evacuate before Hurricane Hermine arrived at the tri-state area.

The snafu began on Saturday night when officials sent out robocalls and a TV warning across Long Island, stating that Hermine was increasing in strength and an evacuation plan was underway. Unfortunately, only the first part of the alert was transmitted, leaving out the part about how the order was voluntary and only applied to the southern shore area of Fire Island.

“An inaccurate phone call went out this evening from a federal emergency management authority to some Suffolk County residents stating that all Suffolk County residents must evacuate,” stated Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “That was incorrect.”

County officials realized there were misleading implications in the first alert, and they sent out a mass clarification later on that night. Lauren Lefebvre, a spokeswoman for the FEMA region that provides coverage for New York, has stated that an investigation is underway to find out why the message was inadvertently shortened.

Watch a local report above, via Pix 11.

[Image via screengrab]

— —

>> Follow Ken Meyer (@KenMeyer91) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!