Does your cell phone receive weather alerts

[emeryjre]

Due to the horrific tragedy in the Texas Flash Floods, I have been evaluating whether I am receiving weather alerts about dangerous weather conditions in real or close to real time.
I have discovered that the "AccuWeather" app on my iPhone does provide up to date updates
This is the free version I am using and not the paid premium version

On my iPad, I am using an app "Storm Radar"
It is the free version and does not provide timely updates

Since our second home is in an area where weather can change quickly and become severe with pop us storms, I have always been ahead of the game with "AccuWeather"

I had never given it any thought before the latest Tragedy struck

 

[jp10558]

I've found that Shadow Weather is probably the best option on Android - and I suggest it's worth paying for for the level 2 radar access that gives you way more up to date radar when severe thunderstorms or tornadoes are in play. It does pop up alerts if issued, and has some of the best (though it's still crappy like all forecasts anymore) forecasts pulling from multiple sources.

 

[DrQ]

My carrier does send out warnings WHEN the National Weather Service (NWS) issues warnings. Most 3rd party forecasters rely on NWS to alert their subscribers. The NWS is currently hiring.

Our county also will call our cell phone and land lines with warning too along with the sirens. We were in Galveston when severe weather hit at home and we received calls.

 

[WorldT]

My carrier does send out warnings WHEN the National Weather Service (NWS) issues warnings. Most 3rd party forecasters rely on NWS to alert their subscribers. The NWS is currently hiring.

Our county also will call our cell phone and land lines with warning too along with the sirens. We were in Galveston when severe weather hit at home and we received calls.

Most people don't know where many third party entities get their info. Hence why the NWS is so important. Even many ( maybe all?) local radio and TV stations rely on the NWS.

I have my phone on silent mode when I sleep. However, emergency alerts are not blocked and are set to the highest volume.

 

[DrQ]

Even many ( maybe all?) local radio and TV stations rely on the NWS.

When the excrement hits the rotary air mover here, the local stations don't hide the fact that they are in constant communication with the local office of the NWS.

 

[Janann]

Another option besides your phone is an NOAA weather radio. I have mine set for tornado warnings. My theory is that during the day I get warnings for everything else on my phone, but if I'm asleep I want to be awakened for a tornado.

My radio is similar to what is shown in the link. https://www.amazon.com/Midland-WR12...Trilingual/dp/B00176T9OY?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

 

[nomoretslt]

I get weather alerts on my iPhone from my local tv station WECT. Lightening alerts, heavy rain, flash flood alerts, tornado warnings….I honestly don’t know how I signed up for this. In the middle of the night I’ll get a voice….”heavy rain detected in your area”. Lots if tornado warnings. I have another that I downloaded for free called Code Red. I think this is strictly for tornado warnings. I don’t really worry about flash floods from rivers in my area, ocean storm surges is more of a worry.

 

[DancingWaters]

I get weather alerts from the city I live in and also local television! The city alert system actually sends a text and asks for a response to make sure you got the alert! The television station covers our area so is pertinent to our weather

 

[beejaybee]

IMHO there should be no weather-alert gaps in the US. There must be some way to develop a system to reach even the most remote locations.

 

[jp10558]

IMHO there should be no weather-alert gaps in the US. There must be some way to develop a system to reach even the most remote locations.

I'm sure there is, probably satellite or some sort of shortwave radio or something, but the issue as always is everyone involved has to care enough to spend time and money not just creating it but maintaining it. And then everyone has to agree on the same system. Good luck is my thought.

 

[clifffaith]

I’m set up for earthquake and fire. Was weird in a good way to be walking in CVS and hearing a mystery tone coming from my purse, then realizing I was hearing it across the store seconds before the rumbling started this spring. The fire tone makes me jump and swear every time.

 

[emeryjre]

I'm sure there is, probably satellite or some sort of shortwave radio or something, but the issue as always is everyone involved has to care enough to spend time and money not just creating it but maintaining it. And then everyone has to agree on the same system. Good luck is my thought.

Like any issue involving technology these days, it requires sorting through the options and turning on the proper settings

In the "good old days" alerts were sent out via TV and Radio transmissions only

The airwaves now include cellular transmissions

The majority of us have cellular receivers known as cellphones

I no longer have that little AM/FM radio by my bed to listen to "Wolf Man Jack" in the wee hours of the morning
But I can listen to replays of Wolf Man Jack anytime I want via the internet on my cellphone

Here is a link to Ready.Gov
A government web site that explains the various types of alerts available and how to receive them

Emergency Alerts | Ready.gov

This page describes the different warning alerts you can get when emergencies strike and how to get them. Wireless Emergency Alerts Emergency Alert System NOAA Weather Radio Integrated Public Alert and Warning System FEMA Mobile App Related Content

www.ready.gov

 

[easyrider]

Our phones are set to notifications off and ringers off. We can be contacted through messenger. We only turn the ringer and notification on before flights or if we are expecting a call.

Basically, the only weather alert we look out for is weather that would affect our flight. If the weather cancels our flight, which it frequently does, we have to drive to Seattle and be at the airport by 5 to 6 am. It's a 2 hour drive but because it's Seattle it can take 3 hours.

Do any of you live in a tornado zone ?

Bill

 

[Janann]

Do any of you live in a tornado zone ?

Yes, which is why I have an NOAA weather radio, and I tell my friends to get one. Sometimes they are baffled when I ask, "how are you going to wake up before a tornado hits?" Most people sleep with all of their phone alerts silenced.

I probably should mention that part of my paranoia is due to surviving a major earthquake that struck at 4:30 a.m. A five minute warning would have been helpful.

 

[WorldT]

I get a tornado, extreme wind/hurricane, flooding (probably won't affect me when I am inside but could be a problem when I am on the road). That is why I always have my emergency alerts on my phone to active no matter if I am asleep or not. Phone calls, text, and other notifications are sometimes set to off but the emergency alerts remain on and on Max volume. I like that my phone gives me that option.
Emergency alerts include weather alerts, amber, silver, and blue alerts and are sent from the nearest cellular tower.

 

[DrQ]

I get a tornado, extreme wind/hurricane, flooding (probably won't affect me when I am inside but could be a problem when I am on the road).

My Genesis gets weather notifications/warnings as part of the Connected Vehicle service to which I subscribe. It is location based using the GPS in the car. It's actually a pretty nifty system. You can also look up the current and future weather forecasts too.

 

[easyrider]

I probably should mention that part of my paranoia is due to surviving a major earthquake that struck at 4:30 a.m. A five minute warning would have been helpful.

That would do it.

So far, the only thing we survived was St Hellens back in 1980. We saw it coming but were surprised at how the ash made it seem like night after 30 minutes. We have had some big snow, ice storms and a few fires, but for the most part nothing.

Bill

 

[nomoretslt]

I figured out how to silence the amber alerts….I would get woken at all different times during the night. Absolute yes to tornadoes. Around here they can pop up…sometimes off the ocean. The few minutes warning can save your life (as long as you have a safe spot set up and easy to get to). And always make sure my devices are charged and have the radio ( batteries removed, but right next to it).

 

[WorldT]

My Genesis gets weather notifications/warnings as part of the Connected Vehicle service to which I subscribe. It is location based using the GPS in the car. It's actually a pretty nifty system. You can also look up the current and future weather forecasts too.

The alerts work even when driving. I was trying to say my house is not going to flood but the roads I am driving might. I still check the weather forecast if I am going to be up and about. In the Houston metroplex, you may come up on a low point under a bridge or just a normal road that the bayou is a overflowing. Anyone who lives here understands these things but many still drive their car into the water. Most make it out alive.

 

[kanerf]

I get weather and amber alerts on my iphone and the alarm is very loud and hard to ignore. You get these even when you have the ringer turned off. Carrier is AT&T.

 

[DrQ]

The alerts work even when driving. I was trying to say my house is not going to flood but the roads I am driving might. I still check the weather forecast if I am going to be up and about. In the Houston metroplex, you may come up on a low point under a bridge or just a normal road that the bayou is a overflowing. Anyone who lives here understands these things but many still drive their car into the water. Most make it out alive.

We get flash flooding in Dallas too. Most local roads have flood measure gauges along the side of the road in the low spots so you can tell how deep the water is across the road. If I don't know the road (even if you do), it's not worth the risk. A flooded car is a totaled car. If there is a flash flood warning, it's a good time to take a break and let things settle out. Even though I'm from Dallas, I know to stay away from I45 through downtown Houston during heavy rains.

After stopping, my navigation through the Connected Vehicle service would probably route me around flooded sections along the path. I'm sure Android Auto or Apple Car Play would do the same with Google maps too.

 

[WorldT]

After stopping, my navigation through the Connected Vehicle service would probably route me around flooded sections along the path. I'm sure Android Auto or Apple Car Play would do the same with Google maps too.

Yes, Google maps will do the same thing but only if the roads are already reported as closed. So you still have do what you said, don't drive into water. You will be surprised how many people do here in Houston.

 

[DrQ]

Yes, Google maps will do the same thing but only if the roads are already reported as closed.

Well, even before the road is closed, the routing software will see the backlog of standing traffic and route around.

You will be surprised how many people do here in Houston.

No, not really. They do it here in DFW too.

 

[evancrossley]

Yes, my phone does receive weather alerts super helpful during sudden weather changes. By the way, here’s a quick converter for temperatures: 200 C to F.

 

[Talent312]

I find some of the alerts to be annoying.
"Heat" -- duh, just open the door.
"Fog" -- duh, I can see it's foggy.
"Flood" -- good for some, but I live on top of a hill.

The only ones that interest me:
"Freeze" -- rare enuff.
"Thunderstorm" or "Tornado" -- get my attention.