Fema and wireless companies send critical emergency alerts to mobile phones

In the event of a disaster, the mobile phone may be First to alert someone.

With wireless emergency alerts (WEAS), telecommunications companies including Verizon, T-Mobile and AT & T are receiving urgent messages from government agencies during critical situations such as hurricanes, sudden floods or amber. Fema said that messages show the type and time of alert, and any action that people should take in the affected area, and the alert agency.

Here’s how they work:

Weas is released by the federal, state, local, tribal and regional alert authorities approved and broadcasting from cell towers to any mobile device supported in a local targeted area. Wea is part of a partnership between FEMA, the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) and wireless service providers, which aims to enhance public safety.

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There are different types of alerts, however Natural disasters and harsh weather It falls under the category of imminent threat alerts.

Wireless emergency alerts do not depend on subscription, according to Fema. There is also no need to provide personal information to receive Wea. Weas is free and based on the site. However, people will continue to receive messages even if they are in an area where they do not live or outside the area where the phone is recorded.

If someone is traveling to an area after sending Wea, they will receive the message, if the alert is still active.

To determine whether WEA, Fema said that the alert will not exceed 360 characters. These messages will also have a specific tone and vibration that will be repeated twice.

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Wireless service providers sell devices with the possibility of the covered Wea. However, to find out if the phone can receive WEA alerts, Fema said that people should contact their wireless provider, which participates in Wea on a voluntary basis.

Wireless emergency alerts (WEAS) do not follow people’s location. Instead, it is broadcast from cell towers to all phones that support the Wea in a specific geographical area.

If the phone is in a range, the person will receive alert regardless of the carrier they use. If someone is on a call when sending an alert, it will be delayed until the call ends. Weas is also not affected by the network congestion, so that they can reach even when the ordinary calls or texts are slow.

Regardless of Wea, National weather service It also sends frequent warnings.

On July 3, before the deadly floods in central Texas, NWS offices in Austin and San Antonio made expected emergency management surroundings in the morning and issued the flood watch early in the afternoon. Flood warnings were issued on the morning of July 4, giving initial times for more than three hours before the warning criteria were met.

First, the forecasts of the National Water Center issued on July 3 indicated the expansion of the sudden flood capabilities to include Kurville, Texas, and the surrounding areas. Then the flood watch was issued by NWS Austin and San Antonio around 1:18 pm Central time Thursday, in fact until Friday morning.

The WPC Center (WPC) also released three rainfall discussions at the excessive rains in the early rains from 6:10 pm on Thursday, indicating the possibility of floods.

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Hydrology discussion in the National Water Center area (AHD) #144 domestic tax formulation for the north and west regions of San Antonio, including the city of Kerville, and the first flood warning was issued at the event at 11:41 pm on Thursday for the Bandira Province. AHD is a tool to quickly help NWS identify and connect potential flood threats.

At 1:14 am on Friday, a sudden flood warning that was determined as “large” for Bandera and Kerr provinces was issued, indicating a serious threat. Warnings named “Great” or “catastrophic” means that there is a great risk of severe damage. These alerts come out automatically as emergency notifications for mobile phones in the region, as they are broadcast on NOAA weather radio, ensuring the public’s warning during the most dangerous flood events.

NWS said the first reports submitted by the Certa County Sherif Fluids Office at low water crossings had 201 minutes of the deadline. However, immediately after 4 am local time, the flood warning was upgraded in a flood in the south of CARE, including Hunt.

An hour later, the hydrological discussion of the National Water Center #146 included anxiety about the extensive floods throughout the day. Flood risk expectations have been highly promoted and catastrophic.

Flash Flash Flash Ease of the Guadalpe River was released at 5:34 am