Texas cities split on severe weather alerts: sirens or cell phones?

Name: Texas cities split on severe weather alerts: sirens or cell phones?
Uploaded: 2025-11-21T22:15:00-0600
Duration: 4 min 59 s
Description: Many Texas cities lack outdoor warning sirens. Austin instead uses FEMA’s IPAWS system, which sends alerts to phones, TVs, and radios. Officials say it gives clear instructions, but only about half of Texas counties use it, and alerts don’t always reach everyone. Experts note sirens may still be more reliable for some communities.

Many Texas cities lack outdoor warning sirens. Austin instead uses FEMA’s IPAWS system, which sends alerts to phones, TVs, and radios. Officials say it gives clear instructions, but only about half of Texas counties use it, and alerts don’t always reach everyone. Experts note sirens may still be more reliable for some communities.