Page 22 | To be a bit excited about the 3pm alarm?

BreadMeUp · 2023-04-23T12:33:26+00:00

I'm interested to hear what it sounds like. For it to be going off all over the country at once, in all households and shops is exciting. It's something completely new and feels kinda like something from Black mirror. Maybe I'm just weird 😂

Sparklfairy · 23/04/2023 15:53

Just saw this on Twitter - a possible explanation as to why some Three users didn't get it.

https://twitter.com/davwheat_/status/1650149573313085441

FriendlyLaundryMonster · 23/04/2023 15:54

Ah, yes I do have 5G but am one of the unchosen ones.

toodlesofoodles · 23/04/2023 15:57

cowzen · 23/04/2023 15:36

Seven mobile phones in the house - only two had a good enough mobile signal to pick up the alarm.

And no, we are not elderly or disabled but live somewhere with very patchy mobile signal (not the back of beyond - still within commuting distance of London). Normally we rely on wifi calling but it seems the alarm didn't work on that.

The alert is sent directly from the mobile phone masts, your WiFi calling uses the WiFi from a router, that's why.

kittensinthekitchen · 23/04/2023 16:03

For those saying they didn't get to read it, you might have an Emergency Alert History page on your phone. Mine does, Samsung S21. Its in the same menu as where you'd disable Emergency alerts

To be a bit excited about the 3pm alarm?

RainbowConnection1 · 23/04/2023 16:04

I got it twice, about half an hour apart. So did my youngest.

GettingStuffed · 23/04/2023 16:06

What alarm?

ShowUs · 23/04/2023 16:10

GettingStuffed · 23/04/2023 16:06

What alarm?

There was an emergency text like other countries have but some people didn’t get it.

Mistymoonsinastarrysky · 23/04/2023 16:21

I’d like to know what we’re being alerted to? Flooding, tsumani, Putin having a tantrum?
Either it’s complete overkill or something is afoot….

Mistymoonsinastarrysky · 23/04/2023 16:22

I’d switched mine off but the alarm still went off, DH nada.

dittbtdity · 23/04/2023 16:27

a quick message announcing the event - but as I went to turn up the volume the message stopped mid-sentence.

Cornettoninja · 23/04/2023 16:30

Mistymoonsinastarrysky · 23/04/2023 16:21

I’d like to know what we’re being alerted to? Flooding, tsumani, Putin having a tantrum?
Either it’s complete overkill or something is afoot….

There’s no sufficient answer to a question like this though is there?

If the government held a press conference and said there was strong evidence suggesting a nuclear strike in the immediate future they’d be accused of lying and/or creating panic.

The actual answer - it’s part of emergency planning (because emergencies happen…) also isn’t enough for some.

Is there actually an answer to your question you could envisage being satisfied with?

Emigratingimmigrant · 23/04/2023 16:36

I am more worried about how many people seemed to have not heard about it than about any potential misuse...
That takes some effort to sverve something ehat was mentioned absolutely everywhere

Emigratingimmigrant · 23/04/2023 16:38

The actual answer - it’s part of emergency planning (because emergencies happen…) also isn’t enough for some.

I think people greatly underestimate the levels of emergency planning for various scenarios gov does

Caramac555 · 23/04/2023 16:39

Guess this demonstrates the value of a systems test.
Some people refused to have the alert (human behaviour test), some people wanted it but never got it, looks like one network provider has a technical issue, and there was a twenty minute delay for some people receiving it.

We can probably expect a repeat test in a few months!

GoinSouth · 23/04/2023 16:42

Emigratingimmigrant · 23/04/2023 15:18

I lived in Uk for ten+ years and had tornado in nearby postcode and earthquake felt all the way from wales.
There are other things than just these two.

It's standard thing in many countries.

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@Emigratingimmigrant @Itakecreaminmycoffee I'm almost 60 - I have never experienced any extreme weather in the UK - we're quite temperate. I simply do not accept the reasons the government is giving for having this alarm. Any localised weather issues, fires etc are normally heard/seen first by people in the area who communicate this to others - you see a queue of cars, usually someone gets out to ask those in front what's the hold up, or there's a diversion sign, or it's picked up by local radio/tv and broadcast locally; we do NOT need a bloody government alarm to do this and why on earth would the government spend billions on something which is going to be for 'local' issues which is currently adequately covered by local organisations. Since when has the government been that concerned about us?! Extreme weather in the UK, so extreme that it would threaten our lives? So.. what for example.. hailstones the size of footballs? Yes, might endanger our lives.. but wait, we really need a government alarm to tell us to go under cover because we can't think for ourselves to do that?!! What WOULD affect people nationally would be something like a nuke. And what did I hear today.. "the alarm is unlikely to be used for months or years".. what a random thing to say! How do they know...? Complete and utter BS.

JennyJenny8675309 · 23/04/2023 16:45

Emigratingimmigrant · 23/04/2023 14:59

A-it was 1 min early
2- underwhealming

C- 🤣

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 23/04/2023 16:49

GoinSouth · 23/04/2023 16:42

@Emigratingimmigrant @Itakecreaminmycoffee I'm almost 60 - I have never experienced any extreme weather in the UK - we're quite temperate. I simply do not accept the reasons the government is giving for having this alarm. Any localised weather issues, fires etc are normally heard/seen first by people in the area who communicate this to others - you see a queue of cars, usually someone gets out to ask those in front what's the hold up, or there's a diversion sign, or it's picked up by local radio/tv and broadcast locally; we do NOT need a bloody government alarm to do this and why on earth would the government spend billions on something which is going to be for 'local' issues which is currently adequately covered by local organisations. Since when has the government been that concerned about us?! Extreme weather in the UK, so extreme that it would threaten our lives? So.. what for example.. hailstones the size of footballs? Yes, might endanger our lives.. but wait, we really need a government alarm to tell us to go under cover because we can't think for ourselves to do that?!! What WOULD affect people nationally would be something like a nuke. And what did I hear today.. "the alarm is unlikely to be used for months or years".. what a random thing to say! How do they know...? Complete and utter BS.

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There was a 42% increase of deaths in the heatwave last year in the UK (taking the 5 year average of deaths) so yes extreme weather does kill. The met office issue weather warnings for a reason, this may form an extension of those and be issued locally in the event of extreme weather again.

It is not meant to be a national service. If it is used it will target areas where something is happening. For example a massive heatwave in the south west people in that area either who live there or on holiday will receive the alert. People up north won't receive it.

Emigratingimmigrant · 23/04/2023 16:50

GoinSouth · 23/04/2023 16:42

@Emigratingimmigrant @Itakecreaminmycoffee I'm almost 60 - I have never experienced any extreme weather in the UK - we're quite temperate. I simply do not accept the reasons the government is giving for having this alarm. Any localised weather issues, fires etc are normally heard/seen first by people in the area who communicate this to others - you see a queue of cars, usually someone gets out to ask those in front what's the hold up, or there's a diversion sign, or it's picked up by local radio/tv and broadcast locally; we do NOT need a bloody government alarm to do this and why on earth would the government spend billions on something which is going to be for 'local' issues which is currently adequately covered by local organisations. Since when has the government been that concerned about us?! Extreme weather in the UK, so extreme that it would threaten our lives? So.. what for example.. hailstones the size of footballs? Yes, might endanger our lives.. but wait, we really need a government alarm to tell us to go under cover because we can't think for ourselves to do that?!! What WOULD affect people nationally would be something like a nuke. And what did I hear today.. "the alarm is unlikely to be used for months or years".. what a random thing to say! How do they know...? Complete and utter BS.

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Erm ok...

Ducksurprise · 23/04/2023 16:52

I'm almost 60 - I have never experienced any extreme weather in the UK

Wtf? Never seen any extreme weather in the UK?

RoseBucket · 23/04/2023 16:54

GoinSouth · 23/04/2023 16:42

@Emigratingimmigrant @Itakecreaminmycoffee I'm almost 60 - I have never experienced any extreme weather in the UK - we're quite temperate. I simply do not accept the reasons the government is giving for having this alarm. Any localised weather issues, fires etc are normally heard/seen first by people in the area who communicate this to others - you see a queue of cars, usually someone gets out to ask those in front what's the hold up, or there's a diversion sign, or it's picked up by local radio/tv and broadcast locally; we do NOT need a bloody government alarm to do this and why on earth would the government spend billions on something which is going to be for 'local' issues which is currently adequately covered by local organisations. Since when has the government been that concerned about us?! Extreme weather in the UK, so extreme that it would threaten our lives? So.. what for example.. hailstones the size of footballs? Yes, might endanger our lives.. but wait, we really need a government alarm to tell us to go under cover because we can't think for ourselves to do that?!! What WOULD affect people nationally would be something like a nuke. And what did I hear today.. "the alarm is unlikely to be used for months or years".. what a random thing to say! How do they know...? Complete and utter BS.

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We have had increasingly stronger winds which have caused several deaths, our local shops lost their roofs in one noting ago.

The threat of flooding is also increasing. We have actually had a few floods resulting in deaths.

With the increase of those who might not have English as a first warning this might potentially be of use, I guess they are future proofing.

Florissant · 23/04/2023 16:55

I'm almost 60 - I have never experienced any extreme weather in the UK

You weren't here for the hurricane?

GoinSouth · 23/04/2023 16:56

OhhhhhhhhBiscuits · 23/04/2023 16:49

There was a 42% increase of deaths in the heatwave last year in the UK (taking the 5 year average of deaths) so yes extreme weather does kill. The met office issue weather warnings for a reason, this may form an extension of those and be issued locally in the event of extreme weather again.

It is not meant to be a national service. If it is used it will target areas where something is happening. For example a massive heatwave in the south west people in that area either who live there or on holiday will receive the alert. People up north won't receive it.

Show quote history

A heatwave does not necessitate receiving a government alert on one's phone when as you say, the met office already provide these weather warnings, and surely people themselves - most would have some common sense! Sorry, don't buy it.

NeverTrustAPoliceman · 23/04/2023 17:03

I was surprised and rather disappointed with how quiet it was, a louder siren would be better.

Do people really live such sheltered lives that they cannot see how an alert might save lives in the UK? I read an account of how more lives could have been saved in the Grenville Tower disaster as once it was clear that staying put was not the best option, people could not be instructed to try to evacuate by normal means. That alone makes it worth it.

Many years ago we had family friends who lived by the harbour in a Cornish village. The husband was a member of the lifeboat crew and we were staying there once when the rocket flares went up. They were properly noisy, not like today's gentle siren.

RoseBucket · 23/04/2023 17:04

GoinSouth · 23/04/2023 16:56

A heatwave does not necessitate receiving a government alert on one's phone when as you say, the met office already provide these weather warnings, and surely people themselves - most would have some common sense! Sorry, don't buy it.

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There are some who are daft enough to not understand the severity of heat warnings sadly, those who take out very young children in the sun or leave children or pets in cars for example, maybe a kick up the backside from their phone might actually work.

Ducksurprise · 23/04/2023 17:08

GoinSouth · 23/04/2023 16:56

A heatwave does not necessitate receiving a government alert on one's phone when as you say, the met office already provide these weather warnings, and surely people themselves - most would have some common sense! Sorry, don't buy it.

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How about the wildfires that claimed houses?

I live near grass fields/heathland I work outside so often not on social media, the alert could make all the difference.