New Emergency Alerts are Coming to Your Mobile Phone Soon

Our mobile phones are our access to EVERYTHING. Literally everything. Want to find a new recipe for dinner? Your phone has it. What was the name of that guy who won the most gold medals at the Olympics? Just ask your phone. What shows are on tv tonight? Your phone knows that too, and now your phone will alert you when 'destructive' weather is approaching.

Yes, you may already get some alerts to potential weather issues, but now the National Weather Service is officially expanding the alerts they issue on mobile phones to include “destructive” severe thunderstorm warning.

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Our news partners at KWTX report that starting next week, the National Weather Service will add “destructive” severe thunderstorm warning to it's alert system. It'll be similar the ones we get for tornado and flash flood warnings.

The National Weather Service took to Twitter to announce the new addition: “Starting July 28, Severe Thunderstorms deemed ‘destructive’ will activate a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) on smartphones. Criteria for a destructive threat is at least 2.75 inch diameter hail and/or 80 mph thunderstorm winds.”

Since moving to Texas in the summer of 2017, I've seen some real doozies roll through. Lightning, thunder, flooding, at times I've been out in it trying to get home. This new alert may help in getting me on my way home sooner.

Click HERE for a link to the National Weather Service to find out more about the alerts they send.

Here at Townsquare Media we also like to keep you "in the know" when it comes to breaking news and weather alerts. Just download our free app to stay connected.

It's Time to 'Stuff the Bus' for Central Texas Students

The new school year is just around the corner, and Central Texas students will face unique challenges as we put the pandemic behind us and look to the future.

One challenge no child should face is being without the essential school supplies they'll need to live up to their potential and achieve academic success.

That's where you and I come in. From July 19 to August 15, you can donate school supplies at the following locations. Donated supplies will benefit students in need in Belton ISD, Killeen ISD, and Temple ISD. (Click each district to view their 2021-2022 school supply lists.)

Here's What's Happening at This Year's Central Texas State Fair

After taking a year off in 2020, the Central Texas State Fair returns this September with everything you love about a rip-roarin' good time at the Bell County Expo Center! Here's your guide to the great shows, music, food, and rodeo action you expect as they do it big for 2021.

LOOK: What major laws were passed the year you were born?

Data for this list was acquired from trusted online sources and news outlets. Read on to discover what major law was passed the year you were born and learn its name, the vote count (where relevant), and its impact and significance.

Filed Under: Emergency Alerts, National Weather Service, News

Categories: Articles, Local News, News