[EAS] Flash Flood Drowns Family

[Bill Ruck]

This story illustrates why technology can never get to 100%.

Last weekend a flash flood in the Tonto National Forest, AZ, drowned 9.

Now I see news reports of hand wringing and finger pointing.

 From the reports looks like NWS issued a Flash Floor Warning.  That 
was picked up by cell phone carriers.  Probably the family did not 
carry a NWS receiver and probably cell coverage in the canyon was 
nil.  Have not seen any report of EAS.

The National Park Service points out that they have only a few 
rangers to cover thousands of acres of forest.  Water Wheel Fire and 
Medical District Fire Chief Ron Sattelmaier said "I wish there was a 
way (to keep) people from getting in there during monsoon season.  It 
happens every year."

I know from my work with NPS that safety is a high priority but they 
can't be everywhere at all times.  Also people seem to think a 
national forest or other wild areas are the same as Disneyland.  They are not.

In this case NWS did what they are supposed to do but the family was 
disconnected from technology.

Bill Ruck
Curmudgeon
San Francisco