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Preparing for disasters is everyone's responsibility. The City of McKinney uses an array of tools to alert the community to emergency conditions of all types. All of the tools listed below comprise the city's Early Warning System.
This nationwide network of radio stations broadcasts alerts for all types of hazardous weather information directly from the National Weather Service to you. NWR may also be used to broadcast public safety alerts such as national emergencies or Amber Alerts.
NWR broadcasts only to a specific type of radio called a weather radio.
NWR McKinney Stations
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The Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) network is used in conjunction with NWR to allow you to set up alerts specific to your county and can also provide information as a text message.
McKinney SAME identification: 048085
The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that state and local authorities use to deliver important emergency information, such as Amber Alerts and severe weather information targeted to specific areas.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service (NWS), implements the EAS at the federal level. Nationally, the EAS requires broadcasters to provide communications capability to the President to address the American public during a national emergency.
It is important to tune into a battery-powered radio, television or weather radio when the power is out and conditions are changing rapidly. Radio stations that participate in EAS:
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The city’s Early Flood Warning Systems cover areas of McKinney that are historically prone to flooding during storms including; Valley Creek Trail, Park View Avenue and U.S. 75 near Towne Lake Park.
The system includes a master site around Wilson Creek to monitor water depth and five flashers to warn drivers of flooding. Once water levels at the master site reach a pre-determined depth, the flashers in the area will activate, warning drivers that flooding is imminent or occurring. Upon activation, city staff will receive email notifications about the status of the water level.
The system allows residents, emergency responders and public works staff to make better decisions about hazardous conditions and help reduce the loss of life and property from flood events.