(Alta)– Officials are warning of the danger of posting fake photos of severe weather online. It comes after a photo of a tornado that supposedly had touched down this past Thursday on Highway 7 near Alta went viral on social media. Turns out the photo was generated by AI and was fake.
Buena Vista County Emergency Management Coordinator Aimee Barritt says it prompted an unneeded response from authorities who went to the scene to investigate. She says that investigation turned up no damage and no evidence whatsoever that a tornado had even touched down. In addition, Barritt says storm spotters were in that same vicinity Thursday and didn’t report anything severe.
Buena Vista County Sheriff Kory Elston says posting and sharing fake photos of tornadoes and other disasters can also cause unnecessary fear and concern. He says it’s important to research and verify the source and legitimacy of photos before posting and re-sharing them.
