All articles tagged with #emergency alerts
South Korea recorded its hottest temperature on record at 42.5°C in Yangsan amid a multi-day heatwave, with widespread high-temperature warnings and a newly introduced emergency heatwave alert; data show heatwave days have more than doubled in five decades, highlighting climate-change–driven heat extremes.
Heavy, multi-day rainfall in Kerr County, Texas damaged more than 490 homes and 100 businesses as residents cleaned mud and salvaged belongings; the report notes more than 130 deaths from the July 4, 2025 floods nationwide, with two local deaths this year in South and Central Texas, while officials credit alerts and sirens for saving lives as people heeded warnings and evacuated.
An unauthorized, extreme emergency alert bearing the word misantropi4 circulated to cell phones across Brazil, prompting the National Civil Defense to temporarily take its warning platform offline. Officials say the message did not come from Civil Defense and is likely the work of hackers, with alerts first detected in Paraná and soon after in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. São Paulo Civil Defense said no official alert was issued by its agents, and Anatel is involved in the investigation as the Cellbroadcast system was disabled; some residents also received the same content via SMS. There are no reports of a disaster, and authorities are working to restore the system and determine the attack’s origin.
Savannah Guthrie’s return to NBC’s Today Show after nearly two months off for her mother Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance is described as warmly supported, with insiders noting a drama-free on-air welcome. Behind the scenes, tensions linger over interviews and potential live developments in Nancy’s case. NBC reportedly has a contingency plan to interrupt a live segment with a coded phrase if news arises, while ransom notes sent to TMZ about Nancy’s fate underscore the ongoing, volatile situation—though authorities doubt their credibility. NBC leadership backs Guthrie and would accommodate more time off if needed, with plans for a full-time return when she’s ready.
The City of Boulder will close all city-owned Open Space and Mountain Parks property west of Hwy. 93, Broadway, and Hwy. 36 from sunset Friday (Mar 13) to sunrise Sunday (Mar 15) as a precaution against extreme fire conditions and dangerous winds; Boulder County Parks will similarly close western OSMP areas on Saturday. Flagstaff Road will be closed to non-residential traffic. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning. Xcel Energy plans a Public Safety Power Shutoff for some customers Saturday afternoon, with potential 24–48 hour outages. Residents are urged to sign up for BOCOalert/BOCOinfo, follow ODM updates, have evacuation plans, and heed safety guidance during the wind event.
A mass shooting at Brown University has raised concerns over campus security and the effectiveness of the investigation, with students and residents calling for increased safety measures and questioning the university's security systems amid ongoing efforts to identify the shooter.
Nextdoor is overhauling its platform to improve usefulness by introducing authoritative emergency alerts, partnering with local news outlets, and adding AI-powered features like a neighborhood recommendations chatbot, aiming to focus on utility and community engagement.
Deadly floods in Kerr County, Texas, have resulted in 120 deaths and over 160 missing, with controversy over delayed emergency alerts and communication failures during the disaster. Authorities are scrutinizing the timing of flood warnings and response efforts.
Texas officials are considering installing flood warning sirens along the Guadalupe River after deadly floods in 2025, aiming to improve outdoor warning systems and save lives, though challenges like false alarms and costs remain.
FEMA records reveal Kerr County did not utilize the FEMA's Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) to send alerts to all cell phones during the July 4 flooding, relying instead on less effective methods like social media and sign-up alerts, raising concerns about emergency communication effectiveness and policy standardization.
Kerr County officials admitted to lacking a functional emergency alert system during recent deadly floods, despite having a system called CodeRED since 2009. Residents received sporadic and delayed flood warnings, with some alerts not issued until hours after the floodwaters rose rapidly. The delays and limitations of the alert system, combined with spotty cell service and voluntary sign-ups, raised concerns about the effectiveness of the warning process during the disaster.
New Hampshire safety officials are reviewing the Amber Alert system after reports of some people not receiving alerts following a successful alert that led to the safe recovery of two girls in Keene. While officials consider the alert a success, they are investigating why some individuals received the alert late or not at all. They emphasize the importance of ensuring that emergency alerts are activated on mobile phones to receive timely notifications.
Several school districts in Santa Barbara County, including Santa Barbara Unified and Lompoc Unified, have announced closures for Monday, Feb. 5 due to an incoming severe storm. The decision comes as a precaution following a recommendation from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts, while no planned school closures have been reported in San Luis Obispo County as of Friday afternoon.
The mandatory evacuation order for residents living near 13000 Trail Boss Ct in El Paso County has been lifted after heavy rains helped contain the wildfire. Emergency response officials are urging residents to sign up for Peak Alerts, the local emergency notification system, to stay informed about potential dangers. The system sends alerts about natural disasters, hazardous materials incidents, law enforcement activity, and evacuation notices.
The Lane County Sheriff's Office has issued Level 3 evacuation notices for areas east of Timber Creek and the intersection with Peninsula Road, due to the Bedrock Fire. Level 2 notices are in place for residents on the north and south of Fall Creek lake, including Big Fall Creek Road and Winberry Creek Road. People are urged to sign up for emergency alerts, and a Red Cross shelter has been opened at Lowell High School. The fire has burned 22,679 acres and is at 20% containment.