CY-Alert: why Saturday’s warning came after the storms began, and what to do if yours didn’t sound

Local emergencyTop NewsWeather CY-Alert: why Saturday’s warning came after the storms began, and what to do if yours didn’t sound Cy Alert Island Wide System Test On June 15 — What To Expect Relevant News Pension reform: Thursday is the day for the 12% penalty, here’s what to expect 1 September 2026 CY-Alert: why Saturday’s warning came after the storms began, and what to do if yours didn’t sound 1 September 2026 KEO to build €25m spirits and juice plant in Kato Polemidia, Limassol 1 September 2026 Despoina Psyllou 1 September 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Civil Defence has defended the timing of Saturday’s CY-Alert flood warning, which reached citizens’ phones at 12:15pm, after severe storms had already begun battering the island and killed one person. The warning drew questions and criticism after it was sent following the onset of the storms, with some people receiving it later still, and others not at all. Deputy Civil Defence spokesperson Chara Lazarou described CY-Alert as a measure of last resort, saying the decision to send Saturday’s warning was taken only once the storm phenomena and related problems had become widespread. She said the alert is not a cure-all and is reserved for exceptional cases, and urged anyone who did not receive it to contact the Deputy Ministry of Research and Innovation’s helpline on 1450, or the retailer who sold them their device. Explaining the timing “The Met Department’s warning was orange, not red,” Lazarou said, but around noon it was judged necessary to activate the early-warning system given how widely the storms had spread. What had initially been expected as isolated incidents had become generalised, covering 60 per cent or more of the island, she said, adding that these conditions met the criteria for CY-Alert. She noted that the Met Department and other services had already issued earlier warnings about the weather, meaning the public was informed in advance. Civil Defence had continued monitoring the situation with the Met Department’s forecaster throughout, Lazarou said. Around noon, once the Deputy Civil Defence Commander was informed that the phenomena had become widespread, and in coordination with the Chief Fire Officer, the rise in 112 calls from different parts of Cyprus made it necessary to activate the system, which was ultimately sent at 12:15pm. “You can’t activate CY-Alert based on a forecast,” she said, explaining that forecasts deal in probabilities and outcomes can differ from what is expected, so the system must follow how events actually unfold. Why limiting movement mattered Lazarou said it was important for people to limit their movements to avoid driving into danger. “Some may have mistakenly believed the storm had passed,” she said, when in reality it was still ongoing elsewhere in their district. The aim was to prevent people travelling into the bad weather, while also easing the work of first responders dealing with a high volume of incidents. A measure of last resort Every situation is different, Lazarou said, meaning the timing of a CY-Alert activation cannot be planned in advance — which is also why it could not have been sent earlier, at the start of the storms. She said CY-Alert warnings are used only once other means of informing the public have been exhausted, and represent the highest and most extreme level of alert. “It must be used sparingly and with caution,” she said, so the public does not grow used to it and continues to give it the attention it requires. She pointed to examples of other countries where overuse had led people to gradually start ignoring the alerts, weakening their effectiveness, saying it was important the system be used only at the exact moment it was needed. Some at 12:12, others at 13:00 On the difference in delivery times among recipients, Lazarou said the causes lay in the technical characteristics of individual phones. “We need to make the necessary software update,” she said, adding that devices not updated to the latest software version may show these differences in when the alert is received. A second factor was whether a device had signal at the moment the alert was sent. Lazarou urged citizens to contact 1450, the Deputy Ministry of Research and Innovation’s helpline, where people can receive guidance over the phone. She said citizens can also approach the shops where they purchased their devices, and should “ask whether their phone supports Cell Broadcast technology.” It was very important, she said, for the system to remain available to the public for truly exceptional emergencies. The message: In your area there is heavy rainfall with an increased risk of flooding. Avoid unnecessary travel and remain at home for your safety. 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