Spring Break
Computer flaw ID'd in Larimer warning failure
The Associated Press
Issue date: 6/17/09 Section: News
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - Larimer County officials have identified a computer problem that they say was partly responsible for the failure of an emergency alert system during a tornado warning.
The system was supposed to notify about 100,000 phone numbers and e-mail addresses during the warning on Monday, but it didn't.
Officials said Wednesday the system identifies geographic areas to be notified but was unable to deliver the warnings when the areas overlapped.
Officials also say human error contributed to the failure but they haven't disclosed specifics.
The system was developed by Glendale, Calif.-based Everbridge Inc. Larimer County agencies paid $150,000 to start the system plus $95,000 a year to be able to send out an unlimited number of alerts.
The system was supposed to notify about 100,000 phone numbers and e-mail addresses during the warning on Monday, but it didn't.
Officials said Wednesday the system identifies geographic areas to be notified but was unable to deliver the warnings when the areas overlapped.
Officials also say human error contributed to the failure but they haven't disclosed specifics.
The system was developed by Glendale, Calif.-based Everbridge Inc. Larimer County agencies paid $150,000 to start the system plus $95,000 a year to be able to send out an unlimited number of alerts.
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