City officials respond to Stagecoach evacuation order

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - Festivalgoers were forced to evacuate Stagecoach Music Festival Saturday night due to strong winds, causing chaos and leaving some confused. Goldenvoice sharing this message on the Stagecoach app Saturday night at 7:46 p.m:

"Due to severe weather, please exit the event site and move to your vehicles or protected areas outside of the event site for safety. Stay tuned for updates.”

According to the Indio Police Department, there are no reports of any injuries. Some festivalgoers describe the moment as "crazy."

"Nobody knew what to do. Everybody just started running," says Phillipe Pepay, who attended the festival.

Then, shortly after at 8:37 p.m., festivalgoers received this message: "The show will resume momentarily. We are working to open doors and prep the site for your safety."

Indio Police say there could have been improvement when it comes to messaging.

"We did get concert goers who weren't sure if they were going to be allowed to return and as a result, they ended up just leaving or not coming back because they didn't know that we were going to allow them to come back," says Sergeant Abe Plata.

Pepay says he's grateful his group stayed near the area. "Otherwise we would have just left and lost half of what we wanted to see," he says.

Indio Police Department says they work hand in hand with Goldenvoice and multiple agencies to ensure safety at the festival.

"We had multiple gates to get everybody out. And with the cooperation of all the guests moving slowly, not a stampede," says Sergeant Abe Plata.

News Channel 3 reached out to Goldenvoice and received no response. We also asked the City of Indio for the festival's emergency plan and were told it's protected information.