Why some people in Michigan got an emergency alert about an earthquake

OSTEGO COUNTY, Mich. – Due to a technical error, many residents in Northern Michigan had their phones alert them to an earthquake.

“Emergency Alert: Earthquake Detected! Drop, Cover, Hold on. Protect Yourself. -USGS ShakeAlert.”

According to Michigan State Police, multiple people in Vanderbilt received the emergency alert after temporary cell towers registered from California were placed in the area, likely due to the ice storms.

Southern California was hit by an earthquake Monday, April 14, triggering the alert for the towers in Michigan from California.

Otsego County Emergency Management is working to figure out why this happened and are working on a fix.