United States Emergency Alert System

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

Since the great devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has dramatically changed the way it sends alerts on natural disasters or security crises to citizens of the United States.

After the destructive passage of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and María this year through Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas, it is very important to know what this alert system consists of, how they work and how they are issued.

The main objective of these emergency messages is to alert citizens in a timely manner to local and national events that may put their safety and lives at risk. Messages are transmitted through television channels, radio stations, and mobile phone systems. No subscription is necessary.

This warning system has also become one of the best communication channels for state governments and local authorities to send alerts about sudden extreme weather conditions and AMBER (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response or Child Abduction Emergency) alerts.

The most recent test of the system was carried out last Wednesday, September 27, this being the third time that a national test of this type has been carried out in the last four years.

"The test will give us important data on how the Integrated Public Alert System (IPAWS) works during and after a variety of conditions," FEMA revealed, as reported by a Time magazine report on its online site.