It's likely worth noting that this specific test was of IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System), a system designed to integrate the Emergency Alert System, National Warning System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, and NOAA Weather Alerts.
It's not intended to be cell phone only or replace anything; it's intended to unify all the pre-existing methods together. This was just the first time cell phones were included in a nationwide test. On Wed, Oct 10, 2018 at 11:15 AM Naslund, Steve <snasl...@medline.com> wrote: > I agree 100% and also have noticed that severe weather systems tend to > more severe in rural areas due to either open spaces (the plains) or trees > (forested areas) doing more damage. I can tell you from living the in > Midwest that the storms in Iowa and Nebraska are way worse than the ones > that hit Chicago. A weather guy I know told me it has something to do with > convective heat rising from major cities which is why you rarely see > tornados hitting downtown Chicago and New York. I have noticed that for > some reason local weather alerts seem to be more reliable than the national > level tests on cellular. Don't know if it has to do with shear volume or > what. Also, like I said earlier in rural areas you are less likely to run > into a bystander that knows what is going on. > > Steven Naslund > Chicago IL > > > >How quickly we forget. Puerto Rico's catastrophe was only a year ago. > >Per capita fatalities in rural areas are usually higher than cities after > >a disaster. Telecommunications are even more important in rural areas > >because you have fewer disaster response resources than in cities. > >Rural areas receive warnings later, have fewer emergency responders, > fewer > >advanced trauma hospitals. There are more neighbors helping neighbors in > >cities, and more potential sources of help in densely populated areas. > > > >Telecommunication providers are less likely to spend money hardening > >infrastructure in rural areas, because there is less business. Its easy > >to find alternative telecommunications in New York City. Its hard to find > >backup telecommunications in Idaho. > > > >A nation-wide WEA and EAS system helps warn people in both cities and > >rural areas. But they still depend on carriers and broadcasters. If there > >are no backup batteries in cell towers, or backup transmitters for > >broadcasters, you end up with communication blackouts like in Puerto Rico > >for months. > >