Oklahoma City Launches Accessible Storm Alerts for Deaf and Blind Residents

New system delivers emergency warnings in ASL, audio, and braille formats to ensure equal access to life-saving information.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 12:05am

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in the style of Caspar David Friedrich, depicting an approaching storm over a flat, open expanse. The scene uses deep perspective and dramatic backlighting to convey the overwhelming scale and power of the weather, with any physical structures or objects dwarfed by the sublime natural forces.As severe weather threatens Oklahoma City, a new accessible alert system aims to ensure critical storm warnings reach all residents, including the deaf and blind community.Oklahoma City Today

As Oklahoma braces for another round of severe weather, Oklahoma City Emergency Management has partnered with Deaf Link to provide an Accessible Hazard Alert System. The new system delivers emergency alerts in formats tailored to the needs of deaf, blind, and hard-of-hearing residents, including American Sign Language videos, spoken alerts, text messages, and compatibility with braille devices. The goal is to ensure no one is left out when critical weather warnings need to reach the entire community.

Why it matters

Emergency alerts can only save lives if everyone in the community can access them. By launching this new accessible alert system, Oklahoma City is taking proactive steps to protect its most vulnerable residents during dangerous weather events, providing equal access to life-saving information regardless of ability.

The details

The Accessible Hazard Alert System is a contracted service that Oklahoma City Emergency Management is providing to the public at no cost. The system works closely with the National Weather Service to push out alerts during weather emergencies in the appropriate formats. Residents can sign up to receive the alerts tailored to their individual needs, ensuring they can activate their emergency plans when severe weather strikes.

  • Oklahoma City is preparing for another severe weather threat this weekend.

The players

Oklahoma City Emergency Management

The emergency management agency for Oklahoma City, responsible for coordinating the city's response to natural disasters and other crises.

Deaf Link

The contracted company that provides the Accessible Hazard Alert System, working closely with the National Weather Service to deliver emergency warnings in ASL, audio, and braille formats.

Lt. David Storer

The deputy emergency manager for Oklahoma City, who emphasized the importance of ensuring equal access to critical alerts for all residents, especially those with special needs.

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What they’re saying

“We want to make sure we aren't isolating just an individual population or group, especially those with accessible and special needs. They need to have a plan ready, and being able to receive these alerts allows them to activate their plan.”

— Lt. David Storer, Deputy Emergency Manager, Oklahoma City

What’s next

Emergency officials said the Accessible Hazard Alert System is available for all Oklahoma City residents to sign up for, and they encourage everyone to do so to ensure they receive critical weather warnings in a format they can understand.

The takeaway

By launching this innovative Accessible Hazard Alert System, Oklahoma City is setting an example for how cities can proactively protect their most vulnerable residents during severe weather emergencies. This initiative ensures that deaf, blind, and hard-of-hearing individuals have equal access to life-saving information, a crucial step towards building a truly inclusive emergency response system.