Why some people in Hurricane Helene’s path didn’t get emergency alerts

Zoe Dadian’s front yard in Swannanoa, North Carolina turned into a front line during the catastrophic flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Helene. Despite warnings from the National Weather Service, the evacuation order sent by Buncombe County through IPAWS did not reach Dadian until hours later. Downed cell towers due to the flooding delayed the transmission of the alert, highlighting the challenge of timely warnings during flash floods. Some counties did not send any alerts using IPAWS during the disaster, raising concerns about preparedness and communication. It’s crucial for people to have their phones set up to receive alerts and to be informed about the potential risks to their community.