WTF?

[leelastarsky]

I just got a text from the Vic Police! 

02/03/2009 14:18
Msg from Vic Police:Extreme weather in Vic expected Mon night & Tues. High wind & fire risk.Listen to local ABC Radio for emergency updates.

I have never had one of those before.  Ever.  

Checked with Mum, and she got one on her mobile too! 

I guess this must be a new service?  They're doing a blanket send to all mobile phones?  One way of getting the word out I suppose...

Just checked with the Lord of the Vegemite, and he didn't get one on his mobile... praps cos he's not the account holder?

Now I'm worried.

It's an absolutely beautiful day here at the moment, although it is a Total Fire Ban. 

*wonders wtf is coming*    O.o

ETA: kids all got it on their phones too, including the Lord of the Vegemite.

ETA 2: apparently this is part of the new emergency warning system the States all agreed to implement 18 mths ago, then couldn’t get their act together.  They thought it would be a breach of privacy to send unsolicited texts to mobiles.

This is excellent.  Definitely spam I'm more than happy to get! 

ETA 3:  Calm before the Storm?
Just so you can see how nice it seems today. 

Comments

[gmth.livejournal.com]

OMG. That's scary. Stay safe, please.

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

It's this sort of fore-warning that can make all the difference! :~)

[sue-parsons.livejournal.com]

The phone text thing is a wonderful idea. Even if folks had a power outage or didn't turn on their TVs or radios, they'd be likely to have their cell phones on. REALLY good idea.

[leelastarsky.livejournal.com]

It is brilliant! I'm really glad for the warning. The weather looks mild and rather perfect today; certainly no inkling of horrible storms coming. Now we can be prepared!

[sue-parsons.livejournal.com]

Please take care of yourselves and let us all know when the danger has passed.

[simons-flower.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[mawaridi.livejournal.com]

I got that text too! It was a little unsettling, but it's nice to feel forewarned. There doesn't seem to be the slightest hint of dangerous weather outside today, it's pretty mild, but who knows what's coming this evening. *worries* Stay safe!

[theoldcatlady.livejournal.com]

"This is excellent. Definitely spam I'm more than happy to get!"

Oh, absolutely! Glad they decided the 'breach of privacy' is well worth warning people of compromised safety.

[oncelikeshari.livejournal.com]

Good luck!

[eska-rina.livejournal.com]

This actually sounds like a good idea.

[suehypno.livejournal.com]

Yikes! I hope it's just a test to see if it's working for everybody...although I would THINK they'd say that somewhere in the text if it was.

[lnalvgd.livejournal.com]

let's just hope the calm before the storm pic stays that way!

it's absolutely beautiful!

good luck! and keep us posted if you're able!

*hugs*

[tomscribble.livejournal.com]

ooh-er... Good luck!!!

[tattooedsiren.livejournal.com]

Getting that message was so weird.

[margaret67.livejournal.com]

When I turned my mobile on this morning I had a text message from the Vic Police too - I think it's a great idea.