Latest news with #IPAWS
3 days ago
- General
As Eaton blaze burned in January, officials were just as confused as residents by erroneous California wildfire alerts, emails show
As multiple wildfires like the Eaton blaze and the Palisades fire wreaked havoc across Southern California in January, fears over neighborhoods being destroyed were compounded by confusion over which areas of Los Angeles County were actually under evacuation warnings. "An evacuation order for residents near the Kenneth Fire currently burning in West Hills was mistakenly issued to nearly 10 million County residents along with some residents of neighboring counties," Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Kevin McGowan said in a statement on Jan. 9. Now, more than six months after those erroneous emergency alerts went out, emails and text messages show for the first time just how perplexing the messaging mayhem was, based on more than 200 pages of records released by Los Angeles County in response to a public records request from ABC News. "We didn't send anything out. Promise," one coordinator wrote a colleague in a text message on Jan. 10. "525 pm… we weren't doing any orders I don't think then," a county employee responded. "FEMA is going to need to look into this." The Kenneth fire burned just over 1,000 acres not far from Calabasas, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, yet people far beyond that area were alerted about the blaze. The Eaton and Palisades fires affected far more residents across the county, impacting more than 37,000 acres combined, according to the messages. The newly released documents capture days' worth of questions asked by emergency management representatives as they sought clarity about the situation. Among the documents, some county officials even texted pictures of the mistaken notifications among themselves to try to figure out what was going on. Three days into the wildfire emergency, the Los Angeles County OEM, apparently out of frustration, even sent an email to a generic mailbox for the Federal Communications Commission as they struggled to solve the problem, according to the documents. The email to the FCC noted that there was believed to be an "unknown system error" with the county's Integrated Public Alert & Warning System, or IPAWS, causing an alert message to be sent outside of the zone of people who should have received it the previous day. "Since then, the county has been experiencing unsolicited countywide IPAWS Alerts throughout the night" the email said. "At this time, we contacted FEMA's IPAWS, and our vender [sic] to see if they can correct the problem. Currently we have no active alerts, this is in an effort to control this error, so far all efforts have been unsuccessful. Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated." U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) later launched an investigation into the erroneous alerts, with a resulting report noting in part that "the initial false alert is believed to be caused by technology issues with third-party technology vendor Genasys." The FCC, which sets the technical standards for emergency alerts, did not respond to a request for comment from ABC News. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr sent a letter to Garcia in April stating that while emergency alerts can save lives, "erroneous or improperly targeted alerts can have unintended and dire consequences." The communications obtained by ABC News show that concerns in Los Angeles County over the effectiveness of the wireless emergency alert system started within hours of the Palisades fire breaking out on Jan. 7, two days before the message that was erroneously sent to millions of people. "This is getting kind of frustrating," county OEM representative Bennett Cummings emailed Genasys customer success manager Lisa Bernard on Jan. 7. "Map shows we're targeting two zones. PBS Warn just shows one launch." "Are citizens reporting they're not getting them?" Bernard asked Cummings in another exchange. "I'm seeing them come through the feed on PBS warn and the IPAWS monitoring channel and the active alerts feed is showing the corresponding area. I'm working with support right now to see if we can figure out what's going on." "Issue is we're needing to do one campaign per zone, but we're selecting multiple zones and its only launching to one of the selected not all the zones selected," Cummings responded. "We've caught up now on pbs warn but had to do multiple campaigns." The next day, on Jan. 8, another Genasys representative emailed Los Angeles County officials, writing in part that they "identified an underlying issue requiring further investigation to resolve." Contacted by ABC News following the release of the communications, a Genasys spokesperson said, "During the Los Angeles wildfires, Genasys Protect enabled LA County to reduce evacuation alert times from 40-60 minutes to just 6 minutes, likely saving hundreds of lives."
The Hill
17-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
Data: Kerr County sent first targeted alert two days after deadly flood
HUNT, Texas (KXAN) — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) data does not show a record of Kerr County officials issuing a locally targeted emergency alert to warn people in the area of the rapidly rising waters until two days after the deadly flood. The emergency flash flood warnings issued on July 4 and 5 came from the National Weather Service, which were distributed through CodeRED, a mass notification system that requires members of the public to register to receive alerts. As Kerr County leaders avoid alert questions, new audio surfaces in CodeRED timeline Records show the earliest warnings of the flash floods, which claimed more than 100 lives in Kerr County alone as of July 15, were issued by the NWS at 1:14 a.m. on July 4, telling people to move to higher ground. The county shared a San Antonio meteorologist's post on Facebook at 5:31 a.m. on July 4. County officials added their warning to the shared post, saying, 'Flooding along the Guadalupe River is happening now. Be safe and move to higher ground. Do not drive through water. Turn Around – Don't Drown!' After the initial alert at 1:14 a.m., an additional 21 flash flood alerts were issued by the NWS on July 4 in Kerr County, according to archived alert data. FEMA records indicate that the county itself never issued an alert on July 4 about the dangerous flash flooding through the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS), which can alert all phones in a geographical area, regardless of whether a person has enrolled for emergency alerts. Sheriff hints at 'after action' review, as records reveal warning of 'worst-case flood event' KXAN reached out to Kerr County officials about the timing of their alerts. This story will be updated when a response is received. Contrary to alerts issued by the NWS, IPAWS provides authorities the ability to write their own warning message, which is delivered through multiple communication pathways 'to reach as many people as possible to save lives and protect property,' according to FEMA. 'Utilizing multiple pathways for public alerts increases the likelihood that the message will successfully reach the public,' according to FEMA. The only IPAWS alerts Kerr County issued occurred on July 6 and July 13 due to the 'high probability' and 'high confidence' of river flooding, according to FEMA IPAWS data. Records show these Kerr County IPAWS alerts classified the severity of the weather events as 'Extreme' and the presence of an 'Imminent Threat' with headlines stating 'Evacuation Immediate' and 'Local Area Emergency.' According to FEMA IPAWS alert data, Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator William 'Dub' Thomas is the person who authorized and issued the IPAWS alerts. KXAN reached out to Thomas for additional details regarding the alerts he authorized. A county commission meeting video from Nov. 16, 2020, shows Thomas advocating for the emergency alert system as lifesaving shortly before the commissioner approved the measure.
Economic Times
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Economic Times
Texas flooding: stories of loss, resilience, and urgent need
Grief in Kerr County Camp tragedy Live Events What this crisis teaches us Nature's fury vs. human vulnerability In Flash Flood Alley, rivers can transform from gentle streams into walls of water in under an hour—catching even the prepared unaware. The value of modern alerts Had broader public-alert systems been activated sooner, more lives might have been spared. Now, the state is facing pressure to modernize and act faster. Community matters From families carrying each other on boats to college towns holding processions for victims, neighborliness is rising in response to tragedy. These moments of unity reflect the very best of the human spirit, even in darkest times. Legacy of loss Beyond the statistics—children, campers, parents, counselors, couples with plans and dreams—were lives rich in potential and love. Their absence is not just a number—it's a void felt in homes, campuses, and churches across Texas. How you can help & respond Stay weather-wise : If you're in the Hill Country or other flood-prone regions, sign up for public alert systems like IPAWS and CodeRED. : If you're in the Hill Country or other flood-prone regions, sign up for public alert systems like IPAWS and CodeRED. Support recovery : Many families need help with housing, food, and funeral costs—donations to vetted local groups can make an immediate difference. : Many families need help with housing, food, and funeral costs—donations to vetted local groups can make an immediate difference. Push for change : Reach out to local representatives to advocate for upgrades to early-warning systems and better emergency protocols. : Reach out to local representatives to advocate for upgrades to early-warning systems and better emergency protocols. Hold space for grief: In towns across Texas, vigil events and memorials are planned to honor those lost. Sharing their stories helps ensure they're never forgotten. (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel In the heart of Texas Hill Country, the floods claimed at least 132 lives—many in Kerr County , where entire families and groups of campers were swept away in a matter of hours. Boats, trailers, and homes vanished as the waters tore through the Guadalupe River canyon. Authorities are still searching for over a hundred people believed to be missing. One of the most heartbreaking stories: a young college student who stayed behind to help shelter loved ones, his final call cut short by the raging flood before his home was washed away. His voice now a powerful reminder of bravery in utter Mystic and a neighboring youth camp were struck at night, with dozens of campers and counselors caught in flash floods . A camp leader delayed evacuation—making split-second decisions as waters surged. The loss of children and caregivers has left families and communities shattered. Investigations reveal that code-based alerts (CodeRED) were used instead of broader systems like IPAWS. Residents didn't receive timely warnings via all channels—some alerts arrived after the worst had already passed, spurring calls for and recovery efforts continue—amid rising rivers and renewed storms. Crews are using boats, drones, sonar, and dog teams to bring closure to families. But the danger isn't over: flood watches persist, and another round of heavy rain is on the started as a holiday weekend turned into one of the deadliest inland flood events in modern U.S. history. The immediate focus is on rescue and recovery—but the deeper challenge lies in learning, adapting, and preventing future tragedies.
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Texas flooding: stories of loss, resilience, and urgent need
Grief in Kerr County In the heart of Texas Hill Country, the floods claimed at least 132 lives—many in Kerr County , where entire families and groups of campers were swept away in a matter of hours. Boats, trailers, and homes vanished as the waters tore through the Guadalupe River canyon. Authorities are still searching for over a hundred people believed to be missing. Lives upended One of the most heartbreaking stories: a young college student who stayed behind to help shelter loved ones, his final call cut short by the raging flood before his home was washed away. His voice now a powerful reminder of bravery in utter chaos. Camp tragedy Camp Mystic and a neighboring youth camp were struck at night, with dozens of campers and counselors caught in flash floods . A camp leader delayed evacuation—making split-second decisions as waters surged. The loss of children and caregivers has left families and communities shattered. Flawed warning systems Investigations reveal that code-based alerts (CodeRED) were used instead of broader systems like IPAWS. Residents didn't receive timely warnings via all channels—some alerts arrived after the worst had already passed, spurring calls for reform. Live Events Rescue in the rain Search and recovery efforts continue—amid rising rivers and renewed storms. Crews are using boats, drones, sonar, and dog teams to bring closure to families. But the danger isn't over: flood watches persist, and another round of heavy rain is on the way. What this crisis teaches us Nature's fury vs. human vulnerability In Flash Flood Alley, rivers can transform from gentle streams into walls of water in under an hour—catching even the prepared unaware. The value of modern alerts Had broader public-alert systems been activated sooner, more lives might have been spared. Now, the state is facing pressure to modernize and act faster. Community matters From families carrying each other on boats to college towns holding processions for victims, neighborliness is rising in response to tragedy. These moments of unity reflect the very best of the human spirit, even in darkest times. Legacy of loss Beyond the statistics—children, campers, parents, counselors, couples with plans and dreams—were lives rich in potential and love. Their absence is not just a number—it's a void felt in homes, campuses, and churches across Texas. How you can help & respond Stay weather-wise : If you're in the Hill Country or other flood-prone regions, sign up for public alert systems like IPAWS and CodeRED. Support recovery : Many families need help with housing, food, and funeral costs—donations to vetted local groups can make an immediate difference. Push for change : Reach out to local representatives to advocate for upgrades to early-warning systems and better emergency protocols . Hold space for grief : In towns across Texas, vigil events and memorials are planned to honor those lost. Sharing their stories helps ensure they're never forgotten. Bottom line What started as a holiday weekend turned into one of the deadliest inland flood events in modern U.S. history. The immediate focus is on rescue and recovery—but the deeper challenge lies in learning, adapting, and preventing future tragedies.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Texas Officials Did Not Use Technology That Would Have Sent Lifesaving Messages amid Flooding Tragedy: Report
A new report found that officials in Kerr County, Texas, did not use technology that would have sent lifesaving emergency messages to everyone in the vicinity of the Guadalupe River as it flooded on July 4 The Washington Post obtained messages from a National Weather Service meteorologist warning Kerr County officials about potential flash flooding, beginning at 1 a.m. that morning The death toll from the flooding has risen steadily since July 4 and now sits at more than 120 peopleA new report found that officials in Kerr County, Texas, did not use technology that would have sent lifesaving emergency messages to everyone in the vicinity of the Guadalupe River, where dozens of people have died and been reported missing in the wake of devastating flooding that began on July 4. According to The Washington Post, Kerr County officials did not use the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) — a notification tool that uses vibrations and emits a loud alert noise — even after a National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist warned them about the severity of the floods. The outlet obtained messages posted in a Slack channel — a message system used by NWS meteorologists to communicate about changing conditions with local officials and members of the press — that showed one meteorologist asking county officials to send an alert about the severe flooding to the public several times in the early hours of July 4, to no response. Kerr County did issue cellphone alerts that morning, using a system called CodeRED that sends voice messages to landlines listed in the White Pages, as well as text messages to the cellphones of people who have signed up, according to the Post. The outlet reported that although it couldn't confirm the exact time of each CodeRED message, some local residents' first message from the system was at 10:55 a.m., hours after the water had reached record-breaking levels. It's not clear whether any Kerr County officials were monitoring the channel that night, CNN reported. Jason Runyen, the NWS meteorologist on duty for the Austin/San Antonio region that night, first sent a message just before 1 a.m., saying that officials should look out for flash flooding in Kerr and neighboring Bandera County. One person reacted to the message with a thumbs-up emoji, but it was an emergency manager from another county. The Weather Service used the IPAWS system at 1:14 a.m. to send a flash-flood warning to Kerr and Bandera, and instructed recipients to "turn around, don't drown." By 2:28 a.m. Runyen wrote in Slack that Kerr County had received 200% of the rainfall needed to trigger flash flooding, and that the flooding had "likely begun." No Kerr County officials reacted or replied to the message, the Post reported. The water in the Guadalupe River would rise more than 20 feet in the hours following Runyen's message, and by 3 a.m., he wrote: "A very dangerous flash flood event is unfolding across south-central Kerr County." Runyen also wrote that Hunt, Texas, might reach a "moderate" flood level later in the morning, calling the town a "bullseye." The meteorologist also wrote in Slack at 3:56 a.m. that the flooding in Hunt had been categorized as "major," and said the Weather Service was about to issue another IPAWS alert about a "Flash Flood Emergency" to Kerr and Bandera counties. At 4:35 a.m., the level of the Guadalupe River had surged above 29 feet near Hunt, and soon after, the gauge that measures the water level was destroyed. Kerr County officials made their first public comment at 5:31 a.m., according to the Post. The Kerr County Facebook page announced that the flooding was "happening now." The Kerr County Sheriff's Office also wrote on its Facebook page soon after that people near the river should "move to higher ground immediately." Two and a half days after the flooding, Kerr County sent its first IPAWS evacuation order at around 3 p.m. on July 6. "High confidence of river flooding," read the message. "Evacuate the Guadalupe River and low-lying areas. Move to higher ground." Many local Texas residents told the Post that flash flood warnings sometimes come so often in the region that people ignore them. Abdul-Akeem Sadiq, a professor at the University of Central Florida who researches emergency management, told the Post that if local authorities had sent an IPAWS message rather than the National Weather Service, residents might have paid closer attention. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "If the alert had gone out, there might be one or two people who might have still been able to receive that message, who now, through word of mouth, alert people around them," Sadiq said. "We are eight days removed from the most devastating tragedy in this community's history," officials told PEOPLE when asked for comment on the Post's report. "From the start, the city and county have pledged transparency and a full review of the disaster response, and we stand by those commitments." "The special session begins July 23, and that review work is underway while we remain focused on active emergency response," their statement added. Central Texas is still reeling from the destructive and deadly floodwaters, which were spurred by nearly unprecedented rainfall that swelled the Guadalupe River, drowning portions of the state's Hill Country. The death toll has risen steadily since July 4 and now sits at more than 120, with another 150 people still missing, CNN reported. Among the dead, at least 36 were children. Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp located just off the Guadalupe River, previously confirmed that 27 of its campers and counselors died. Five girls from the camp remain missing, according to authorities. To learn how to help support the victims and recovery efforts from the Texas floods, click here. Read the original article on People
