Can I get tornando warnings through email or text?

June 13, 2009 7:41 PM

Is there a service that will text or email tornado warnings to me?

i don't watch tv. i only listen to the radio on the work commute. i'm not sure that i'll hear the sirens. it got me thinking - is there an internet warning solution?

i'm in owasso, oklahoma

posted by nadawi to technology (9 comments total)

This should work.
posted by deadmessenger at 7:48 PM on June 13 [1 favorite]

The National Weather Service offers a mobile warning system for cell phones. At this link it looks like you can input your information and then download a program.
posted by amyms at 8:04 PM on June 13

I'm a subscriber to Weather Underground, and as part of that service I have text alerts sent to my cell phone when ever there are any kind of severe weather warnings for my zip code. I've found that to be quite useful.

Several of the local TV stations in my hometown also have a service where they will robo-call you and send text alerts or e-mails in the event of severe weather. It looks like KJRH has something similar.
posted by ralan at 8:17 PM on June 13

I have one of those All-hazard weather radios. It is always plugged in with battery backup, and I have it set to turn on automatically, when there is a Severe Thunderstorm and/or Tornado Warning, only in the counties in my immediate area. The alert noise is LOUD! regardless of the volume the 'radio' part is set to, and it will only turn off when you push a button.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 8:32 PM on June 13

amyms: "The National Weather Service offers a mobile warning system for cell phones. At this link it looks like you can input your information and then download a program."

?? All I see there is the NWS' mobile site. Entering data (i.e. my zip code) just gives me current conditions.
posted by IndigoRain at 8:57 PM on June 13

I tried a few solutions and ended up being happy with WeatherUSA.net. It's free. I signed up for both the email and text messaging service, and they've both been super reliable.

A cool feature is that you can specify what types of weather will send an alert--for example, maybe you want just tornado warnings and not watches, etc. Another handy feature: you can add a region that you're traveling to, then delete its alert when you're home again. The site isn't always the most intuitive but is worth the trouble.
posted by PatoPata at 9:06 PM on June 13

IndigoRain: Sorry, I don't use it myself, but I thought that was the right link for their mobile service. Apologies if it doesn't work.
posted by amyms at 12:14 AM on June 14

This is what you want.
posted by @homer at 9:01 AM on June 14 [1 favorite]

Oh thanks, @homer. :)
posted by IndigoRain at 5:32 PM on June 14