Central Texas is still grappling with the aftermath of the devastating floods that have resulted in over 100 fatalities and many individuals unaccounted for. The torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 30 feet in just an hour, surprising both the community and emergency responders. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly nature can turn dangerous.
Many residents, despite some warnings, indicate they received little to no prior notification. This enhances concerns about gaps in the alert systems in critical weather situations.
In response to the criticisms directed at the National Weather Service regarding the spotty alerts during this crisis, the Department of Homeland Security chose to back the NWS, stressing the need for timely and robust weather notifications.
This tragedy highlights how crucial it is to have reliable emergency alerts on our devices. You never know when you’ll need them.
Why Your Mobile Phone May Not Warn You of Severe Weather
It’s worth noting that many phones may not notify users about emergency alerts unless specifically enabled. Some devices might silence these warnings or limit them, particularly if they’ve been set up to exclude government or amber alerts. This could pose serious risks during flash floods or tornadoes.
How to Enable Severe Weather Alerts on Your iPhone
To ensure you don’t miss vital warnings, here are some steps you can follow:
Set Location Access for the Weather App
- Go to Settings.
- Select Privacy and Security.
- Tap Location Services.
- Scroll to Weather.
- Choose Every Time for continuous access to your location.
- Enable Exact Location for more precise alerts.
Enable Weather App Notifications
- Go back to Settings.
- Click Notifications.
- Find Weather on the list.
- Toggle Allow Notifications to on.
- Ensure that Time-Sensitive Notifications are enabled for critical alerts.
- You can also turn on Announcement of Notifications if you’d like Siri to read alerts to you.
Turn on Severe Weather Alerts within the Weather App
- Open the Weather App from your iPhone.
- Tap the Menu Icon (three horizontal lines) at the bottom right.
- Select the Three-Dot Icon in the top right corner to access Notifications.
- Scroll down to Allow.
- Confirm by selecting Allow again.
- Activate Severe Weather and Next Hour Precipitation alerts for your locations.
Enable Government Emergency Warnings
- Open Settings once more.
- Select Notifications.
- Scroll down to Government Alerts.
- Ensure Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts are toggled on.
How to Enable Severe Weather Alerts on Android
Settings may vary based on the specific Android device you have.
- Start with Settings.
- Tap Safety and Emergency.
- Select Wireless Emergency Alerts.
- Toggle Allow Alerts on.
- Enable alerts for Severe Threats, Extreme Threats, and Public Safety Messages.
Make sure your device has the latest software update to receive all alerts effectively.
Note: Emergency alerts should break through silent modes, though this doesn’t work on every device. Additionally, a connection to your mobile network is necessary to receive these warnings. If you’re missing alerts, check with your carrier and consider using a third-party app as a backup.
Top Apps That Offer Loud, Severe Weather Alerts
For extra assurance beyond the standard phone alerts, you might want to look into these apps:
Storm Shield
This app, available for both iPhone and Android, delivers storm alerts for various conditions like tornadoes and hurricanes. It can wake you even if your device is locked or on silent. Plus, it minimizes false alarms by sending alerts only for severe weather that affects your specific location.
American Red Cross Emergency App
This is another standout option for both iPhone and Android. It allows customization of NOAA alerts for an array of dangers. You can set unique sounds for emergencies and monitor different locations for your loved ones. Just keep in mind that its alerts might not override all settings in the same way as wireless emergency alerts.
Why Another NOAA Weather Radio Is Essential
The NOAA Weather Radio network delivers official updates directly from the National Weather Service. These broadcasts provide timely warnings about severe weather events and can continue even if your phone is unable to send alerts.
A dedicated NOAA weather radio is crucial for loud and clear alerts. One recommended option is the Raynic Emergency Weather Radio. This multi-functional device receives all seven NOAA channels and announces alerts loudly. It also includes multiple power sources like solar, hand crank, USB, and batteries, ensuring you can stay informed during outages.
Plus, with its ability to charge various devices and its rugged, water-resistant design, the Raynic is perfect for home use or outdoor situations. Regardless of which NOAA radio you choose, follow its setup instructions to ensure alerts are loud and clear when needed.
Important Takeaways for Your Safety
The catastrophic floods in Texas serve as a reminder that severe weather can strike unexpectedly. It’s wise not to rely solely on chance. Make sure your emergency alerts are enabled, utilize trustworthy apps, and consider adding a NOAA weather radio to your emergency preparedness kit.
What steps have you taken to guarantee you receive timely alerts about bad weather? We’d love to hear your thoughts.
