Introduction to Emergency Alerts
In a state where hurricanes, tornadoes, and flash floods are a constant threat, emergency alerts are supposed to cut through the noise and grab people’s attention. However, with the growing number of notifications competing for people’s attention, these urgent warnings are often ignored. Experts say that the increasing number of notifications on phones is weakening the impact of life-saving alerts.
The Problem with Emergency Alerts
There are various types of emergency alerts, including National Weather Service alerts for severe storms, Blue Alerts for when an officer has been hurt or killed, and Amber Alerts for missing children. These alerts all come through the same channel, making it difficult for people to distinguish between them. According to Jeannette Sutton, a professor at the University at Albany, "It’s a real problem that we haven’t quite sorted out, especially as so many different kinds of warnings come through the same channel."
A Real-Life Example
A recent example of the problem with emergency alerts is the flooding along the Guadalupe River in Texas. On July 4, a wall of water tore down the river, and many residents were probably asleep when the emergency alert was sent out. Alice Claiborne, who was celebrating the holiday with family along the river, received an alert on her phone just after 1 a.m. but thought it was an Amber Alert and went back to sleep. It wasn’t until hours later, after more alerts arrived, that she realized the river had surged.
Understanding Emergency Alerts
Part of the problem is that many people don’t know what the alerts actually mean or what they’re supposed to do with them. A 2018 National Weather Service survey found that public understanding of common weather warnings was low and inconsistent. For nearly half of the warning terms tested, only about half of the people surveyed knew exactly what the alert meant and what action to take.
Improving Emergency Communications
To improve emergency communications, experts recommend that people sign up for their local community’s alert systems, such as CodeRED, which can send messages by cellphone, landline, or email. However, according to FEMA’s 2024 National Household Survey, only 32% of Americans said they signed up for local alerts last year. State lawmakers are also facing calls to strengthen emergency communications, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has proposed installing warning sirens along the Guadalupe River.
Taking Action
So what can you do to stay safe and informed? First, check your phone settings to make sure emergency alerts are turned on. Most smartphones have this under "Notifications" – look for "Emergency" or "Government Alerts" and make sure emergency and public safety warnings are enabled. You can also sign up for local community alert systems, like CodeRED, which serves more than 10,000 communities throughout the U.S. In areas with poor cell service, backup options like weather radios can help people stay informed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, emergency alerts are an important tool for keeping people safe, but they are often ignored due to the growing number of notifications competing for attention. To stay safe, it’s essential to understand what emergency alerts mean and what action to take. By signing up for local alert systems and keeping emergency alerts enabled on your phone, you can stay informed and take action when necessary. As Jeannette Sutton says, "There will be a time when the message actually is meaningful to you."
