U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R) has called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to closely examine the performance of national emergency alert systems following the catastrophic flash floods that struck Central Texas earlier this year.
In a letter sent to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr ahead of the agency’s August Open Commission Meeting, Sen. Cornyn urged the Commission to analyze the recent flooding response and include input from local and state emergency officials as it considers updates to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).
“As you are aware, the State of Texas was recently impacted by catastrophic flash flooding that took the lives of more than 130 Texans, including dozens of children,” Cornyn wrote. “This disaster shocked the nation and ignited a vigorous discussion on how our Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts can be improved to mitigate future loss of life during major disasters.”
Cornyn acknowledged the FCC’s prompt engagement with his office during and after the floods.
“I want to thank you and your staff for the Commission’s quick action to brief my office on your agency’s efforts to manage and improve these systems before, during, and after the flooding in Texas,” he stated.
The senator stressed that input from state and local disaster officials, “those on the front lines of rapid response efforts,” must be central to any reforms.
“Their input will be critical for ensuring the systems work not only at a technical level, but in a manner that invites robust, nationwide utilization,” he said.
Although preliminary accounts suggest the alerts were transmitted as designed, Cornyn urged further scrutiny.
“The Commission should also conduct a thorough review of the operational integrity and performance of warning infrastructure activated during the flooding in Texas,” he wrote. “It is the responsibility of Congress and the Commission to constantly evaluate whether the design can be improved.”
Cornyn concluded by expressing his intent to work alongside the FCC.
“I look forward to working with you and the Commission to ensure our nation’s emergency alert infrastructure is sufficient to mitigate future loss of life.”
