911 outage reported throughout WA Thursday afternoon

To check this alert, Claude Opus 5 (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

• Sourcepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present, 25 of 25: the message speaks for the campus police, reporting that "UWPD's system may have been affected briefly but appears to be working normally".

  Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: UWPD is named and the message speaks on behalf of the university.
  2. present: The post speaks for UWPD, whose system "appears to be working normally".
  3. present: "UWPD" is named as the department whose system may have been affected.
  4. present: "UWPD" is named as the police agency reporting on its system.
  5. present: UWPD is named as the department whose system may have been affected and to call.
  6. present: UWPD is named as the campus police department issuing the guidance.
  7. present: The post speaks for UWPD, naming the campus police department.
  8. present: UWPD is identified as the source with its own callback number.
  9. present: The message speaks for UWPD, the university police department.
  10. present: UWPD is named as the department whose system was affected and as the contact.
  11. present: The message names UWPD and its campus emergency number as the source.
  12. present: The notice is written on behalf of UWPD, which it names as the campus police department.
  13. present: UWPD is named as the police agency speaking about its own system.
  14. present: The message speaks for "UWPD" and its systems.
  15. present: UWPD is named as the police department whose system may have been affected.
  16. present: UWPD is identified as the police agency behind the message.
  17. present: UWPD is named as the police agency communicating about its own system.
  18. present: "UWPD" is named as the police agency whose system may have been affected.
  19. present: UWPD is identified as the police agency reporting and receiving calls.
  20. present: It is written on behalf of UWPD, the identified campus police agency.
  21. present: Identifies "UWPD" and its emergency phone line as the source.
  22. present: UWPD is identified as the campus police agency behind the notice.
  23. present: "UWPD" is named as the department whose system is discussed and contacted.
  24. present: UWPD is identified as the police agency behind the notice.
  25. present: UWPD is named as the agency whose system may have been affected and as the contact.
• Hazardpresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present, 25 of 25: it names the specific failure, "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington was reported Thursday afternoon".

  What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: The hazard is a "911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  2. present: It names "a 911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  3. present: It reports "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  4. present: It names "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  5. present: It reports a "911 system outage in the state of Washington", a specific disruption.
  6. present: A "911 system outage in the state of Washington" is the specific problem reported.
  7. present: A "911 system outage in the state of Washington" is the specific problem reported.
  8. present: It reports a "911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  9. present: It names "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  10. present: It reports "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington", a specific disruption.
  11. present: "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington" names the specific problem.
  12. present: It names "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington" as the specific problem.
  13. present: A "911 system outage in the state of Washington" is a specifically named hazard.
  14. present: It names "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  15. present: It names "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  16. present: The hazard is "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington."
  17. present: A "911 system outage in the state of Washington" is the specific problem named.
  18. present: It reports "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington", a specific disruption.
  19. present: A 911 system outage in the state of Washington is the named hazard.
  20. present: It names "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington", a specific disruption.
  21. present: Names "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  22. present: It reports a "911 system outage in the state of Washington", a specific service failure.
  23. present: It reports "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  24. present: It reports a "911 system outage in the state of Washington".
  25. present: It reports "A 911 system outage in the state of Washington", a specific service failure.
• Locationpresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present, 25 of 25: the outage is placed in "the state of Washington" and the advice is addressed to those who "are on campus", so both scopes are given.

  Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: It refers to campus and to the state of Washington as the affected area.
  2. present: It covers the state of Washington and people who are "on campus".
  3. present: It addresses people "on campus" and the state of Washington generally.
  4. present: It covers "the state of Washington" and people "on campus".
  5. present: It refers to campus and the state of Washington as the affected areas.
  6. present: It refers to Washington state and to being "on campus".
  7. present: It cites Washington state and people who are "on campus".
  8. present: It refers to "on campus" and the state of Washington.
  9. present: It references campus and statewide Washington coverage of the outage.
  10. present: The outage covers the state of Washington, with guidance for those "on campus".
  11. present: It applies statewide and specifically to people "on campus".
  12. present: It refers to the state of Washington and being "on campus".
  13. present: It covers the state of Washington and those "on campus".
  14. present: It refers to the state of Washington and to being "on campus".
  15. present: It covers Washington state and those "on campus" needing UWPD.
  16. present: It applies to campus and the state of Washington.
  17. present: It addresses people "on campus" and the state of Washington.
  18. present: It covers the state of Washington and people "on campus".
  19. present: It names the state of Washington and the campus where UWPD is reached.
  20. present: It covers the state of Washington and people "on campus".
  21. present: Covers the state of Washington and says "if you are on campus".
  22. present: The outage covers Washington state, and campus callers are addressed directly.
  23. present: It addresses people "on campus" and statewide Washington.
  24. present: It covers the state of Washington and people "on campus".
  25. present: It refers to the state of Washington and to being "on campus".
• Guidancepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present, 25 of 25: readers are told "Please do not test 911", to call 206-685-8973 to reach UWPD, and are given a statewide alternative numbers page.

  The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: Readers are told to call 206-685-8973 if 911 fails and "Please do not test 911".
  2. present: Readers are told "do not test 911" and to call 206-685-8973 if they cannot reach 911.
  3. present: It instructs readers to call 206-685-8973 and to "not test 911".
  4. present: Readers are told "Please do not test 911" and to call 206-685-8973 instead.
  5. present: It says to call 206-685-8973 for emergencies on campus and "Please do not test 911".
  6. present: It instructs readers not to test 911 and to call 206-685-8973 in an emergency.
  7. present: Recipients are told "Please do not test 911" and to call 206-685-8973 instead.
  8. present: Readers are told "Please do not test 911" and to call 206-685-8973 if needed.
  9. present: It directs readers to "please do not test 911" and to call 206-685-8973 instead.
  10. present: Readers are told "do not test 911" and to call 206-685-8973 if they cannot get through.
  11. present: It instructs readers to call 206-685-8973 if 911 fails and "Please do not test 911".
  12. present: It instructs readers to call 206-685-8973 and "Please do not test 911".
  13. present: It instructs readers to call 206-685-8973 and to "not test 911".
  14. present: Recipients are told "Please do not test 911" and given an alternate UWPD number.
  15. present: It says "Please do not test 911" and gives an alternate number to call.
  16. present: It instructs readers to call 206-685-8973 and not to test 911.
  17. present: Readers are told to call 206-685-8973 if needed and "do not test 911."
  18. present: It instructs readers not to test 911 and to call 206-685-8973 for emergencies on campus.
  19. present: The instructions are not to test 911 and to call 206-685-8973 or statewide alternates.
  20. present: It says "Please do not test 911" and gives an alternate number to call.
  21. present: Tells readers "Please do not test 911" and to call 206-685-8973 instead.
  22. present: It says to call 206-685-8973 if 911 fails and asks people to "not test 911".
  23. present: It says "Please do not test 911" and to call 206-685-8973 if 911 fails.
  24. present: It tells readers to call 206-685-8973 for emergencies and "Please do not test 911".
  25. present: It directs people to "please do not test 911" and to call 206-685-8973 if needed.
• Timepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Present, 25 of 25: the outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", a dated recency cue that places the event for readers.

  When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. present: The outage was "reported Thursday afternoon", giving recency.
  2. present: The outage was "reported Thursday afternoon", a recency cue.
  3. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", a dated recency cue.
  4. present: It says the outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", a recency reference.
  5. present: The outage is placed "Thursday afternoon".
  6. present: The outage is placed "Thursday afternoon".
  7. present: The outage is dated to "Thursday afternoon".
  8. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", giving the timing.
  9. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", giving a time reference.
  10. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", giving a time reference.
  11. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", a recency cue.
  12. present: It says the outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", giving recency.
  13. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", a dated recency cue.
  14. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", a recency cue.
  15. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", a dated recency cue.
  16. present: It says the outage "was reported Thursday afternoon."
  17. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon," a time reference.
  18. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", giving recency.
  19. present: The outage is placed on Thursday afternoon.
  20. present: The outage is dated to "Thursday afternoon" with the system now working normally.
  21. present: Says the outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", a recency reference.
  22. present: The outage "was reported Thursday afternoon", giving recency.
  23. present: The outage is placed on "Thursday afternoon".
  24. present: The outage is placed "Thursday afternoon".
  25. present: The outage is placed "Thursday afternoon", a recency reference.
• Impactabsent1/25

  Final assessment

  Absent by majority, with 1 of 25 dissenting that failed emergency calls are implied. The text notes UWPD's system "appears to be working normally" but never states what the outage could cost anyone.

  What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

  See all 25 individual reads

  1. absent: No statement of what could go wrong because of the outage is offered.
  2. absent: No consequence of an outage, such as delayed emergency response, is stated.
  3. absent: No consequence or severity of losing 911 service is spelled out.
  4. absent: No statement of potential harm accompanies the outage report.
  5. absent: No consequence or severity of the outage is described, and it says service appears normal.
  6. absent: No statement describes what could go wrong if someone cannot reach 911.
  7. absent: It downplays rather than states harm, noting UWPD's system "appears to be working normally".
  8. absent: It notes UWPD's system "appears to be working normally" and states no potential harm.
  9. absent: It downplays effects, saying UWPD's system "appears to be working normally", with no harm stated.
  10. absent: No consequence of losing 911 access is spelled out, only alternate numbers.
  11. absent: No consequence of the outage is spelled out, and UWPD is said to be working normally.
  12. absent: No consequence of the outage is stated; it says UWPD service "appears to be working normally".
  13. absent: It reassures that UWPD's system "appears to be working normally" and names no consequence.
  14. absent: No consequence or severity of the outage is spelled out.
  15. absent: It reports the system "appears to be working normally" and states no consequence.
  16. absent: It reassures that UWPD's system appears normal and states no consequence.
  17. absent: No consequence of the outage is described; it says UWPD appears to work normally.
  18. absent: No consequence of the outage is stated; it says the system "appears to be working normally".
  19. present: It conveys that emergency calls may fail, which is the consequence for anyone needing help.
  20. absent: No consequence of the outage for someone needing help is stated.
  21. absent: No consequence of the outage, such as delayed emergency response, is stated.
  22. absent: No consequence of the outage is spelled out beyond the workaround numbers.
  23. absent: No statement describes what harm could follow from the outage.
  24. absent: No consequence of the outage is stated; it says UWPD's system "appears to be working normally".
  25. absent: No harm or severity from the outage is described, and it says the system "appears to be working normally".