Residents in Osceola County can expect to hear their phones ring on December 3rd, but don't be alarmed—it's just a test. As reported by the Osceola County website, the Office of Natural Resources, in conjunction with the Office of Emergency Management, is set to test the Flood Alert Notification System between 9 a.m. and noon.
During this window, expecting to ensure all is in working order, the system will issue a short telephone message to residents, starting with, “This is a test,” followed by pertinent information outlining the steps residents should take during an actual flood event. Problematically, the system relies solely on telephone numbers to fire off the warning shots, which means some residents may not hear the alarm on December 3rd. But rest easy—authorities assure you that a broader net will be cast in an actual emergency, fetching phone numbers from all corners to disseminate the critical information.
The test plays a dual role. Beyond assessing the system's performance, it contributes to the Community Rating System criteria, which, in turn, offers some financial reprieve with lower flood insurance rates to Osceola County citizens. As mentioned in Osceola County's official announcement, the county has already laid grounds for comprehensive notification methods, including cell phones, the Emergency Alert System (EAS) activation, and NOAA Weather Radios.
To voluntarily step into the safety net, residents are encouraged to text ALERTOsceola to 888777 to sign up for emergency notifications or use the registration link provided by the county's website. In case of inquiries regarding flood information or questions about the test, the Office of Natural Resources is on standby at 407-742-0625. To learn more about the Flood Threat Notification system and the upcoming test, interested individuals are directed to visit the county above website or to call 407-742-9000 for immediate assistance.
