Cell phone weather alerts

[glen]

I know I have recieved TXT before, but today my phone made that noise, like the TV does.
Very wierd, especially since I had it on vibrate - not ringer.

 

[Red Storm]

Yeah phones can receive alerts like that. I believe they're required by the government?

 

[webdave]

What phone do you have? They can be disabled.

 

[glen]

A quick Google search looks liek they started this in May 2012.
First I have noticed. Maybe just first bad weather here since then.

 

[glen]

What phone do you have? They can be disabled.

SGS3
I am not actually sure I mind it.
It is justa bit strange. Almost a symbol of the govt ability to control things.

 

[Red Storm]

SGS3
I am not actually sure I mind it.
It is justa bit strange. Almost a symbol of the govt ability to control things.

Meh, more like an opportunity to warn people who otherwise never read the news or pay attention to what's going on around them. I don't mind it at all.

 

[papaschtroumpf]

It can be controlled down to a single cell tower if needed.
Allows to reach people that by definition are in the affected area, even if they're just visiting.

 

[podspi]

Yes, it overrides sound setting. You can disable most (but not all) of the warnings. So far it has only (in my personal experience) been used appropriately so I don't mind.

 

[pm]

I've never received anything like this. Do they use them for just very dangerous weather in a specific location (tornadoes, hurricanes), or do they use them for less immediate dangers like blizzards?

 

[glen]

I've never received anything like this. Do they use them for just very dangerous weather in a specific location (tornadoes, hurricanes), or do they use them for less immediate dangers like blizzards?

Here it was a flood alert. A few roads downton are unpassable when the tide is high and it rains alot.

 

[Red Storm]

I've never received anything like this. Do they use them for just very dangerous weather in a specific location (tornadoes, hurricanes), or do they use them for less immediate dangers like blizzards?

It's like the alerts you see on TV, now we get them on phones as well. I think it's a good idea as the TV is no longer the one and only major form of entertainment (and thus attention).