False Claims of Dodger Stadium Flooding Debunked
In a recent event that sparked widespread concern, rumors circulated online claiming that Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles was flooded due to rain from Tropical Storm Hilary on August 20, 2023. However, these rumors have now been debunked, revealing that the viral video that accompanied the false claims was merely an optical illusion.
Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), were flooded with posts making the inaccurate assertion that Dodger Stadium had become an island after being submerged by floodwaters. These posts often shared an aerial video as supposed evidence of the stadium’s flooding.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the aerial video in question was initially uploaded on August 20 by the @dodgeraerial and @ic_drones Instagram accounts. Interestingly, the captions of these posts made no mention of Dodger Stadium being flooded, contradicting the misleading claims made on social media.
View this post on Instagram
The Associated Press promptly reached out to the Dodgers organization for clarification. They reported that the team categorically denied any flooding at the stadium, explaining that the video depicted an optical illusion. Dodger Stadium, built into a hill, was never underwater. The apparent flooding seen in the video was due to the reflective nature of the wet concrete in the parking lot, which created the misleading illusion of a flooded field.
Dodger Stadium trending? We get it. It looks beautiful this morning. pic.twitter.com/oIrZjndZoZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2023
To address the growing concerns, the Dodgers themselves took to social media on August 21, sharing a post that showcased the stadium and parking lot completely dry. This visual evidence effectively refuted the baseless claims of Dodger Stadium flooding.
While the Dodger Stadium flooding hoax captivated online audiences for a brief moment, it serves as a reminder of the prevalence of optical illusions and misinformation. It bears resemblance to a previously reported incident where a picture of a purported 28-foot-long crocodile killed in Australia in 1957 turned out to be an example of forced perspective. The photograph, taken decades earlier, made the animal appear larger than it actually was.
In conclusion, the widespread rumors of Dodger Stadium flooding due to Tropical Storm Hilary have been debunked. The viral video that fueled these claims was nothing more than an optical illusion caused by wet concrete in the parking lot. The Dodgers themselves have solidified this truth by sharing an image of the dry stadium and parking lot. As with any circulating information, it is crucial to verify claims and seek reliable sources before drawing conclusions based on viral content.
