[EAS] Kerrville and Ruidoso

[Adrienne Abbott]

> "Sirens are a way to wake people up."

Somebody has to push the button for the siren to sound. The probably that would be the same person who would issue an EAS activation or send a WEA message. 

And while people will hear the siren, it won't tell them the threat or location or action to take. People unfamiliar with the area aren't likely to know what a siren at oh-dark-hundred means, even if it sounds in the middle of a Texas-style thunderstorm. Would they be likely to look for more information? From their cell phone? From radio or TV? From other campers? How would they know it's for that creek next to their tent? How long would they mill around in the rain before going back to bed? When would Situational Awareness kick in and someone realise that water in the creek they can't see is rising? 

People not only need to hear a specific warning message, they need to understand that it's meant specifically for them. 

Did the camp counselors who sent the girls back to bed have any way of knowing that the creek through their campground was rising? Did any of them think that maybe they should look outside the cabin and see if anything was happening? Would having a siren sound make someone look at creek? 

Adrienne

> On Jul 12, 2025, at 2:51 pm, Bill Ruck ruck at lns.com> wrote:
> 
> Warning!  Bill is getting up on his soap box.
> 
> I've recently explained to too many people that the NWS has had for decades an effective functioning weather warning system.  Special receivers that unmute have been available to the public for a very long time.  Check C Crane.
> 
> But most do not have these receivers.  In a flash flood area they should be mandatory especially for groups.