SEATTLE — A new emergency-alert system is in the works for Seattle.
Mayor Ed Murray says the system, called AlertSeattle, will warn citizens in real-time about earthquakes, floods, explosions, and other disasters.
Additionally, Murray says the system will improve safety by educating people about what to do in the event of such an emergency. The service is free, and people can customize how they want to receive alerts.
Seattle residents and visitors can also sign up to receive alerts about severe weather, power outages, and major traffic incidents.
Tuesday'sannouncement may help ease the minds of many Washingtonians who expressed concern after the New Yorker's terrifying July article that detailed the impending doom of Seattle and everything west of Interstate-5 due to "the big one."
>> SLIDESHOW: the Cascadia subduction Geologic illustrations
The Seattle Emergency Management Office received calls following the release of the viral article from people asking what they can do in the event of such an earthquake – and if Seattle is prepared.
Debbie Goetz, who works with the department, said the best advice for people living here is to have an emergency plan: Discuss with your family where and how you'd meet up in the event of an emergency that knocks out cellphone service.
Local experts -- from Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, Seattle Emergency Management Office, and The Seattle Times -- weighed in on the Cascadia earthquake during an Ask Me Anything on Reddit in July.
John Vidale, director of the PNSN, wrote in the AMA, “ Overall, it was a well-written and documented article. The scenario left an impression of much greater devastation that is anticipated to occur, however."
The writer of the New Yorker article about the "earthquake that will devastate Seattle" published a follow-up piece with advice on how to prepare for the Cascadia earthquake and tsunami. Click here to read takeaways.
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