The National Weather Service recommends people think a head of time and create two ways of receiving warnings for impending bad weather. Luckily, there are a variety of ways people can get those warnings.
Most people preparing for severe weather in the Metro on Thursday afternoon depended on their cell phones to get weather warnings.
“Usually an alert and it will come on or sometimes little things will come across the screen also on my phone,” said Kristye McKinney.
Most cell phone carriers partner with the National Weather Service, the FCC, and FEMA to send weather alerts to your phone. It is set to go off automatically unless you manually turn the alert off.
“The cell tower picks up your location and if there’s a severe weather warning in your area particularly tornados or flash floods in this area you will be alerted because your cell phone has geolocating in it,” said Julie Adolphson with the NWS.
Adolphson says most counties provide services to receive text message alerts for weather warnings on phones, including Jackson and Johnson County.
People can also sign up for phone calls, however it may not be the most dependable method according to Adolphson.
“A phone call maybe a little bit more delayed if it’s a reverse 911 system, if they have a lot of calls to make there can be a bit of a delay in that type of a system,” said Adolphson.
People can also download different weather apps including tools like weather radar and hour by hour forecasting. 41 Action News has the Storm Shield app that provides those services, along with an alert system.
Using social media can also be a helpful tool. 41 Action News provides updates on Facebook and Twitter, along with the National Weather Service.
However, it’s important people pay attention to the warnings and take shelter.
“When we issue a warning that means that you are in danger for injury or worse and we are trying to help you protect yourself and your property,” said Aldophson.
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Ali Hoxie can be reached at ali.hoxie@kshb.com
