Evacuate! Evacuate! ... Oh, never mind

Connecticut mistakenly broadcasts evacuation notice

Video: Strange news

The next big thing: Skydiving over Mt. Everest
Oct. 7: Three adventurers recently became the first to jump out of a plane over the world's tallest peak and parachute safely to earth. NBC's Brian Williams reports.

Rare giant salamander sighting

Palin to take on Fey?

300 penguins airlifted back home

Skinny dipper caught in royal moat

'Nudism is about enjoying sun, air and body'

Full moon in the friendly skies?

Most popular

• Most viewed

• Top rated

• Most e-mailed

McCain calls for federal bailout of homeowners

Obama, McCain stretch facts in debate

State reviewing per diem payments to Palin

Obama money from abroad could total millions

Beau of woman stuck on toilet wins lottery

Most viewed on msnbc.com

updated 4:12 p.m. ET Feb. 1, 2005

HARTFORD, Conn. - Despite what residents may have seen on television, the state of Connecticut was not ordered evacuated Tuesday.

State emergency management officials believe someone pressed the wrong button, and instead of running a test of the emergency alert system, midday television viewers and radio listeners were told that the state was being evacuated.

“There is absolutely no evacuation or state emergency,” said Kerry Flaherty, of the Office of Emergency Management. “It was an erroneous message.”

Story continues below ↓

The department was investigating how the alert was sent. Officials said it is manually released to broadcasters.

The error prompted Gov. Jodi Rell to issue a statement reassuring residents.

“We are looking into the circumstances and will take every step necessary to make certain this type of problem does not reoccur in the future,” she said.

State police said they received no calls related to the erroneous alert.