Another Warning System Failure!

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To say that the United States' warning system is deteriorating is an understatement. While I was writing yesterday's piece about FEMA, this popped up on my television screen complete with obnoxious loud tones (I apologize for the window reflections). 

Nome, Alaska, is 3,271 miles from my home! I doubt there is much chance the missing person will be in our neighborhood. 

More and more we are seeing these nonsense warnings, which have two effects:

  • The warning system becomes an annoyance rather than something valued. 
  • It increases the chance that people will ignore a valuable message. 

There are so many issues with our warning system today that "fixing FEMA" or "fixing the National Weather Service" won't cut it. A holistic approach is needed. And, our country will not have it until we have a National Disaster Review Board (NDBR). 

I know my pleas for a NDRB may be getting old. But, the huge failures in North Carolina and Los Angeles show the urgent need for reform. 

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