The torrential rains brought by the recent DANA storm have left Spain reeling, with catastrophic flooding especially affecting the Valencia region. More than 200 people have lost their lives, and material damages are extensive. As the country grapples with the aftermath, one of the returning subjects has been the timing and role of the sent warming systems, specifically ES-Alert, in preventing further tragedy.
ES-Alert, a government-operated emergency alert system, sends real-time notifications directly to smartphones. The goal is to help safeguard residents against sudden natural disasters, including floods, hurricanes, and other emergencies.
How does ES-Alert work?
ES-Alert is designed to instantly notify individuals in the vicinity of an impending threat—from natural disasters like flooding or volcanic eruptions to terrorist attacks or public safety emergencies. Emergency centres, whether regional or national, can send out a mass broadcast targeting everyone in an affected area. This way, citizens receive crucial warnings, practical instructions, or requests for collaboration.
The system operates through Cell Broadcast technology, a method similar to SMS, that delivers alerts quickly to all mobile phones connected to 4G or 5G networks in the affected area. Importantly, this technology doesn’t require an app, nor does it demand registration, making it accessible to nearly everyone with a modern smartphone. Messages are even sent in multiple languages, including regional co-official languages like Basque and Catalan.
Who can receive the alerts?
Almost all modern smartphones, including those using Android or iOS, are equipped to receive ES-Alert notifications. For iPhones, devices need to be running iOS 15.6 or later, while Android devices generally need version 11 or higher. However, older smartphones might not support Cell Broadcast, and some inconsistencies in Android updates mean certain models could miss the alerts.
While highly effective, the system does have its limitations. Phones that are powered off or out of coverage won’t receive the alert until they reconnect to the network, meaning certain residents might still miss vital warnings.
Can the alerts be disabled?
Although users can adjust emergency settings on their phones, true ES-Alert messages, designated as the highest level under the EU-Alert protocol, cannot be turned off. Lower-level warnings can be disabled, but critical alerts are mandatory for all, ensuring maximum reach during moments of peril.
ES-Alert’s life-saving impact during the recent floods has underscored the critical need for public awareness of this technology. As climate change continues to bring unpredictable and extreme weather, these early-warning systems become more essential than ever in protecting lives and reducing the toll of such disasters.
How to activate ES-Alert on Android phones
If you have an Android phone and want to receive Civil Protection alerts, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Find the Security & Emergency option.
- Select Wireless Emergency Alerts.
- Tap on Allow Alerts.
Depending on the model or manufacturer, these steps might vary slightly in terms of the names of the options. However, generally, this is how it is done.
How to activate ES-Alert on iPhones
If you have an iPhone, here’s what you need to do:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on Notifications (some phones may say Safety and emergency)
- Scroll down to find the ES-Alert option or (Wireless emergency alerts).
- Select Civil Protection Pre-Alerts.
It is worth noting that even with this option deactivated, many users have reported receiving alerts in recent days. Given the magnitude of the recent DANA, it is advisable to enable this feature to ensure you always receive these potentially life-saving alerts.
Also read: ES-Alert system for mobile phones in Spain to start this Monday