Emergency Notification

In the event of an emergency or natural disaster the campus community will be notified as prominently as possible through several means of communication. This includes UTDAlert, the Outdoor Warning System, Indoor Warning System, UT Dallas Homepage, fire alarm systems, and local media.

On this page:

UTDAlert

UT Dallas will send you email and text alerts in the event of an emergency or disruption to normal University operations. The message will be sent to the email and telephone number listed in University records. If you change your phone number or are not receiving information during tests conducted the first Wednesday of every month at noon, please log into Galaxy and update your number. Step-by-step instructions are provided.

Guests, parents, and contractors can sign up for UTDAlert by texting UTDAlert to 888777. Questions may be sent to oemcp@utdallas.edu.

Troubleshooting

  • Go to utdallas.edu/textme and log in to Galaxy. Make sure your cellphone number is in the Mobile field.
  • Check with your cellphone provider to ensure they are not blocking short code texting.
  • If you are still not receiving alerts, email oemcp@utdallas.edu.

Outdoor Warning System (OWS)

The Outdoor Warning System (sirens) is used to warn the public of an approaching hazard such as severe thunderstorms or tornadoes. UT Dallas has 3 outdoor warning sirens located on campus. This system is tied to the City of Richardson’s Outdoor Warning System and can be activated by the City of Richardson remotely or manually by UTD. The Outdoor Warning System is tested the first Wednesday of each month at noon. Tests may be canceled due to weather or other events.

The Outdoor Warning System will be activated when:

  • The National Weather Service issues a Richardson area Tornado Warning or Severe Thunderstorm Warning with destructive winds at or above 70 mph.
  • Trained storm spotters have reported a tornado with the potential to affect the City of Richardson.
  • Hail of 1.75 inches (Half Dollar) in diameter is imminent.
  • Deemed necessary by UTD or City of Richardson officials (i.e.: in the event of any emergency when officials need to get citizens to move indoors for their safety).

Emergency Notification Criteria

CriteriaOutdoor Warning Siren ActivationUTDAlert MessageUTD WebpageUTD Social Media
Flood WatchNoNoNoNo
Tornado WatchNoNoNoNo
Severe Thunderstorm WatchNoNoNoNo
Flood WarningNoYesYesYes
Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Warning with destructive winds at or above 70 mph is issued by NWS for City of RichardsonYesYesYesYes
Trained storm spotters report a tornado with potential to affect City of RichardsonYesYesYesYes
Hail of 1.75 inches (golf ball size) in diameterYesYesYesYes
Deemed necessary by UT Dallas or City of Richardson officialsYesYesYesYes
Outdoor Warning Siren
UTDAlert Text Message

Social Media

Emergency messages are also posted on the University’s official Facebook page, which can be viewed by everyone, including those who do not have a Facebook account. In some situations, Facebook may be the quickest place to find updated information. Messages are also sent through the University’s official Twitter account @UT_Dallas.

Media

Media outlets that may supply information and updates on campus emergencies include the following:

Television

  • KDFW (Channel 4)
  • KXAS (Channel 5)
  • WFAA (Channel 8)
  • KTVT (Channel 11)

Radio

  • KLIF-AM (570)
  • WBAP-AM (820)
  • KRLD-AM (1080)
  • KTCK-AM (1310/96.7)
  • KERA-FM (90.1)
  • KVIL-FM (103.7)
  • KPLX-FM (99.5)
  • KLUV-FM (98.7)
  • Jack FM (100.3)
  • KLIF-FM (93.3)
  • The Fan (105.3)
  • La Grande (107.5)

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

During an emergency, alert and warning officials need to provide the public with life-saving information quickly. Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), made available through the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) infrastructure, are just one of the ways public safety officials can quickly and effectively alert and warn the public about serious emergencies.

What you need to know about WEAs:

  • WEAs can be sent by state and local public safety officials, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the President of the United States
  • WEAs can be issued for three alert categories – imminent threat, AMBER, and presidential
  • WEAs look like text messages, but are designed to get your attention and alert you with a unique sound and vibration, both repeated twice
  • WEAs are no more than 90 characters, and will include the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, as well as the agency issuing the alert
  • WEAs are not affected by network congestion and will not disrupt texts, calls, or data sessions that are in progress
  • Mobile users are not charged for receiving WEAs and there is no need to subscribe
  • To ensure your device is WEA-capable, check with your service provider

For more information, see the FEMA WEA PSA videos.

Other Systems

City of Richardson Notification System

The Richardson Notification System allows you to sign up to receive important information via text, email and phone about emergencies and other community information.

Dallas Alert Emergency Notification System

Dallas ALERT is an emergency warning tool used to make rapid emergency telephone notifications to residents and businesses in precise geographic areas. GeoCast® Web™ will be used by City of Dallas emergency officials, during emergencies only, to deliver incident-specific information or potentially life-saving instructions to those in an affected area.

Cellular phone numbers are not automatically included in the system database, nor are Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone systems. If you would like to receive these emergency telephone notifications on your cellular or VoIP phone, you must first register these phone numbers. You may register through their Self-Registration Portal.

All Hazards Radio Network

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides a nationwide network of radio stations, which broadcasts continuous weather information. The service is provided at no cost to those who own a weather radio.

Owning a weather radio allows you to receive information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week about life-threatening hazards and keeps you aware of any changing situations. When severe weather or other hazardous situations are expected, the radio will sound an alert, warning users that a watch or warning is in effect for the area.

You can program your weather radio to receive updates for multiple cities or counties. You can find your area’s frequency online. Specific tones or alarms can be assigned to alert you for varying situations. All weather radios have the option of becoming battery operated, so in the event of a power failure, you can continue to receive critical information.

Weather radios may be purchased at many retail outlets including electronic, sporting goods, or outdoor departments. They can also be purchased via the Internet from online retailers or directly from manufacturers. The National Weather Service website includes lists of manufacturers and sellers of weather radios.

If you need help setting up your weather radio on campus, please call 972-883-4355.