NJ A5993

State Office of Emergency Management must develop and implement a voluntary, opt-in statewide hyperlocal flood alert system that uses text messaging as its primary communication method to warn residents of flood events and severe weather conditions

The alert system must integrate real-time data from multiple sources including flood sensors, river height monitors, stormwater management sensors, radar and satellite images, the National Weather Service, NOAA, FEMA, and local government reports

Alerts must include specific information such as rainfall levels, river levels, storm surge, flood damage reports, location and severity of flooding exceeding one foot, forecasted threat details, peak timing, and National Weather Service watches and warnings

Residents may voluntarily register any mobile electronic communications device (cellular phones, tablets, watches) with the State Office of Emergency Management to receive the hyperlocal alerts

Alerts must provide sufficient environmental context to guide safe community response, including evacuation routes and instructions when necessary