Kevin McGowan, director of L.A. County's Office of Emergency Management, said that the problem was caused by a software system glitch.

"It’s hard to see, because there’s so much pain and suffering,” said one local, who dropped off toys at the Westwood Recreation Center in West Los Angeles.

Genasys, the company behind Los Angeles' emergency alert technology, said it has "not been able to replicate" an error that sent inaccurate information to millions.

Emergency evacuation alerts have gone off the rails, pinging people seemingly at random. Experts say that such errors can sow mistrust in the alert system, potentially endangering residents down the line.

Evacuation orders and an alarm sound were mistakenly sent to residents all over Los Angeles County. The alert was meant only for those affected by the Kenneth Fire.