Stay Connected During Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters with Mass Notifications

Monsoons, volcanoes, wildfires, droughts, hurricanes, and typhoons. Natural disasters have been occurring with more severity and frequency than ever. In 2022, extreme weather events broke records worldwide and are on a dangerous upward trend.

Ever-increasing threats wreaked havoc across the globe, upsetting habitats, dislocating populations, and causing extensive (and expensive) damage to infrastructure and economies. In the last year alone, weather disasters in the United States are estimated to have cost at least $165 billion.

Unprecedented weather events and natural disasters test emergency response tactics, proving the importance of effective mass communications before, during, and after a crisis. Lives and livelihoods hinge on whether governments and emergency management teams can keep citizens informed and connected.

An Increasing Threat

Some of the worst weather events of 2022 included:

• Monsoon rains in Pakistan, causing deadly landslides and floods and submerging over a third of the country. Thirty-three million people were affected, and one million homes were destroyed. The total cost of the flooding is estimated to be over $30 billion.
• Wildfires across Europe were exacerbated by heat waves and drought, negatively impacting farming, hydropower, and nuclear plants. A record-breaking 700,000 hectares were burned across the continent, and farmers suffered severe losses to their production.
• Storm Ana in Southern Africa, displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Some communities in Madagascar, Mozambique, and Malawi didn’t receive weather forecasts in time to evacuate safely.
• Hurricane Ian in the Southern United States flooded the shore, knocked out a quarter of Florida’s electricity, and killed at least 131 people. It created further damage as it made a second landfall in South Carolina and moved up the coast.
• Typhoon Nanmadol in Japan led to the evacuation of more than eight million people and became one of the most destructive typhoons in the country in decades.

For 2023, experts predict the warmer El Niño weather system will take over from the colder La Niña, which prevailed last year. This exchange may lead to record colds and snow in the winter and a hot, wet spring, with an even more sizzling summer and fall.

Dangerous weather and natural disasters are increasingly a part of life worldwide, but using mass notification software to send alerts and updates is a way officials can increase the safety and resilience of their communities.

Make Vital Connections with Communications Technology

When a natural disaster occurs, response leaders must guide their communities to help mitigate the event's impact. Effective mass communications before, during, and after an emergency minimizes damage and saves lives.

Warnings before a hurricane can encourage people to evacuate and board up their windows safely. Alerts during a flood can keep drivers away from dangerous bridges or roadways. Two-way messaging allows safety check-ins after an earthquake. Additionally, tools such as pre-scheduled events can organize volunteers for recovery efforts.

Rapid, reliable response keeps people safe in the moment and builds their trust in their government’s ability to manage dangerous situations. Additionally, proactive communications mean that individuals are less likely to attempt to dial 911 for updates during the event, keeping phone lines free for those who need emergency assistance.

Business communications solutions are a powerful way for government agencies and emergency response teams to stay informed daily, even when the danger has passed. Routine messaging and a familiar interface can also take some of the edge off when it’s time to activate a response during a stressful situation.

Keep Communities Safe with Mass Notifications

Weather events and natural disasters typically don’t happen to individuals – they happen to entire communities. Local governments and emergency teams need to broadcast urgent alerts to the broadest audience possible during a crisis, all while carrying out response procedures.

Multi-channel messaging reduces the chance that someone will simply miss a critical alert. The right mass notification technology broadcasts warnings across different modes and devices, including desktop, mobile, SMS, and email. Modern systems also offer geofencing to target only recipients in affected areas to avoid unnecessary confusion or panic.

A mobile app feature lets officials and response leaders rapidly deploy mass notifications from their phones while on their way to a scene. At the same time, detailed dashboards give administrators real-time reports on alert delivery, confirmation, and message history. With these insights, messages can be customized with additional text, audio, or pictures to provide even more guidance to citizens as the event unfolds.

Navigate Extreme Weather and Natural Disasters

While no weather or natural disaster can truly be avoided, the consequences can be lessened with effective mass notifications. Keeping citizens informed goes a long way toward keeping them safe.

Mitel proudly works with local governments to keep communities connected and protected during times of crisis. Contact a Mitel communications expert today to learn how Mitel Revolution can help you prepare for the next weather emergency.