Advisory: Power Outage Update

To check this alert, Claude Opus 5.5 (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.

• Sourcepresent13/25

  Final assessment

  Narrowly present (13 of 25): the majority reads the message as speaking for the University of Maryland, which points readers to its own umd.edu/aware page; dissenters saw the university named only as the outage location, with no signing office or alert brand.

  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. absent: The university appears only as the location of the outage; no office or alert brand signs the message.
  2. present: It speaks for "the University of Maryland" and points to umd.edu/aware, identifying the institution as sender.
  3. present: It names 'the University of Maryland' as the issuing institution.
  4. absent: The University of Maryland is named only as the affected place and no office, brand, or agency signs the message.
  5. absent: The update speaks of buildings 'at the University of Maryland' but carries no alert tag or named sending office.
  6. absent: No sender or brand is named; 'the University of Maryland' appears only as the location of the outage.
  7. absent: The update names the University of Maryland only as the affected location and has no sender tag or issuing office.
  8. absent: The University of Maryland is named only as the place without power, and no office, brand, or agency signs the update.
  9. absent: The University of Maryland is named only as where buildings lack power; no sending office or agency is identified.
  10. present: It speaks as the University of Maryland, pointing readers to its own umd.edu/aware page for outage information.
  11. present: It says buildings remain without power 'at the University of Maryland' and points to umd.edu/aware, identifying the sender.
  12. present: It names 'the University of Maryland' and refers readers to umd.edu/aware, identifying the institution as sender.
  13. absent: It names the University of Maryland only as where buildings lack power, without a sender tag or issuing office.
  14. present: The University of Maryland refers to itself and points to umd.edu/aware for its information.
  15. present: The University of Maryland names itself and points to umd.edu/aware.
  16. present: The message names 'the University of Maryland' and points to umd.edu/aware, identifying the institution as sender.
  17. present: It names the University of Maryland and points to umd.edu/aware for official updates.
  18. absent: It mentions the University of Maryland only as the place with outages; no sending office, brand, or agency is identified.
  19. present: It names 'the University of Maryland' and points to umd.edu/aware, identifying the university as sender.
  20. present: It refers to 'the University of Maryland' and its umd.edu/aware page, identifying the university as sender.
  21. present: It names 'the University of Maryland' and points to umd.edu/aware, identifying the institution as the source.
  22. absent: The University of Maryland is named only as the site of the outage; no office, signature, or agency is identified as sender.
  23. present: The notice names 'the University of Maryland' and refers readers to umd.edu/aware, identifying the university as source.
  24. absent: The update never names a sender; "the University of Maryland" appears only as where buildings lack power.
  25. absent: The University of Maryland appears only as the location of the outage, and the text names no sender, office, or alert brand.
• Hazardpresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Unanimous: it names a specific disruption, a power outage leaving "Some buildings" without power.

  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: It names a specific disruption, a power 'outage' leaving buildings without power.
  2. present: It names a specific incident: buildings "remain without power" due to an ongoing outage.
  3. present: It names a power 'outage' leaving buildings without power.
  4. present: It reports that buildings 'remain without power' due to an outage, a specific hazard.
  5. present: It names 'the outage' and buildings 'without power', a specific utility hazard.
  6. present: It names a power 'outage' leaving buildings 'without power', a specific infrastructure hazard.
  7. present: It names a power 'outage' leaving 'Some buildings' without power, a specific utility hazard.
  8. present: It reports "the outage that began on Saturday", naming a specific power outage.
  9. present: It names a power 'outage' leaving buildings without power, a specific infrastructure hazard.
  10. present: It names a power 'outage' leaving some buildings without power, a specific disruption.
  11. present: It names 'the outage', a power outage leaving buildings without electricity, as the specific hazard.
  12. present: It names a power 'outage' leaving 'Some buildings... without power', a specific disruption hazard.
  13. present: It describes a power 'outage' leaving buildings without power, a specific named disruption.
  14. present: It names a power 'outage' leaving buildings 'without power', a specific disruption.
  15. present: It names a power "outage" leaving buildings without power.
  16. present: It reports a power 'outage' leaving some buildings without power, a specific utility hazard.
  17. present: It names a power 'outage' that has left buildings 'without power', a specific disruption.
  18. present: It reports that "Some buildings remain without power" due to an outage, a specific hazard.
  19. present: It names 'the outage' that left 'Some buildings' without power, a specific utility disruption.
  20. present: It reports that 'Some buildings remain without power' due to an outage, a specific utility disruption.
  21. present: It names a power 'outage' leaving buildings 'without power', which is a specific infrastructure hazard.
  22. present: It concerns a power 'outage' leaving 'Some buildings' without power, a specific named disruption.
  23. present: It names a specific incident: buildings 'without power' due to 'the outage'.
  24. present: It names a power "outage" leaving buildings "without power," a specific disruption.
  25. present: It names a specific utility incident, 'the outage' leaving 'Some buildings' without power.
• Locationpresent25/25

  Final assessment

  All 25 reads agree the location is given: buildings "at the University of Maryland" and on-campus residences.

  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 says 'Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland'.
  2. present: It locates the outage at "the University of Maryland" and on-campus residences and camps.
  3. present: It references the University of Maryland and 'on-campus residents' and camps.
  4. present: It places the outage 'at the University of Maryland' and mentions on-campus residents.
  5. present: It says 'Some buildings' at the University of Maryland and on-campus residences are affected.
  6. present: It says 'Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland'.
  7. present: It places the outage 'at the University of Maryland' and refers to on-campus residents and camps.
  8. present: The outage affects "Some buildings" at the University of Maryland and on-campus residents.
  9. present: It says 'Some buildings' at the University of Maryland are affected, which locates the issue.
  10. present: It says 'Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland'.
  11. present: It refers to 'Some buildings' at the University of Maryland and on-campus residences and camps.
  12. present: It says buildings 'at the University of Maryland' are without power and references on-campus residents.
  13. present: It says 'Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland'.
  14. present: It says 'Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland'.
  15. present: It says "Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland".
  16. present: It says 'Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland'.
  17. present: It says 'Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland'.
  18. present: It says buildings "at the University of Maryland" are affected and mentions on-campus residents.
  19. present: It refers to buildings 'at the University of Maryland' and on-campus residents.
  20. present: It says buildings 'at the University of Maryland' and on-campus residences are affected.
  21. present: It says 'Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland'.
  22. present: It locates the outage 'at the University of Maryland' and mentions on-campus residents and camps.
  23. present: It locates the outage at 'the University of Maryland', affecting on-campus residents and buildings.
  24. present: It says "Some buildings remain without power at the University of Maryland."
  25. present: It says buildings 'at the University of Maryland' remain without power and mentions on-campus residents.
• Guidancepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  Unanimous: it asks students and instructors with summer classes "to frequently monitor emails", a monitoring instruction.

  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: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', a monitoring instruction.
  2. present: It asks students and instructors "to frequently monitor emails", an instruction to watch for updates.
  3. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails' and points to umd.edu/aware.
  4. present: It asks that 'Students and instructors with summer classes' 'frequently monitor emails'.
  5. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', an instruction to monitor for updates.
  6. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', a monitoring instruction.
  7. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails' and points to umd.edu/aware for updates.
  8. present: Students and instructors "are asked to frequently monitor emails" for updates.
  9. present: It asks 'Students and instructors with summer classes' to 'frequently monitor emails', a monitor-for-updates instruction.
  10. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', a monitor-for-updates instruction.
  11. present: It asks that 'Students and instructors with summer classes are asked to frequently monitor emails' for updates.
  12. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', which directs them to monitor for updates.
  13. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', a monitor for updates instruction.
  14. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', an instruction to follow updates.
  15. present: It asks students and instructors "to frequently monitor emails".
  16. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails' for updates, which is a monitoring instruction to recipients.
  17. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', a monitor for updates instruction.
  18. present: It asks that students and instructors "frequently monitor emails", an instruction to watch for updates.
  19. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', a monitoring instruction.
  20. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails' and points to umd.edu/aware for updates.
  21. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', which is an instruction to monitor for updates.
  22. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', which is a monitor-for-updates instruction.
  23. present: It asks students and instructors 'to frequently monitor emails', a monitoring instruction.
  24. present: Students and instructors "are asked to frequently monitor emails," an instruction to watch for updates.
  25. present: It says students and instructors 'are asked to frequently monitor emails', a monitoring instruction.
• Timepresent25/25

  Final assessment

  All 25 reads agree timing is present: the outage "began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m." and more will be communicated "later today".

  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: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  2. present: It says the outage "began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m." and promises updates "later today".
  3. present: It says the outage began 'Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  4. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.'
  5. present: It says the outage began 'Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  6. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  7. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and mentions 'later today'.
  8. present: The outage began "on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m." and more news comes "later today".
  9. present: It states the outage began 'Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and mentions 'later today'.
  10. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  11. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  12. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  13. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  14. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and more will come 'later today'.
  15. present: It gives "Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m." and "later today".
  16. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  17. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' with updates later today.
  18. present: It gives "Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m." and "later today".
  19. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  20. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  21. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  22. present: It says the outage began 'Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  23. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates come 'later today'.
  24. present: It says the outage "began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m." and more comes "later today."
  25. present: It says the outage 'began on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 3 p.m.' and updates will come 'later today'.
• Impactabsent0/25

  Final assessment

  All 25 reads code Impact absent: beyond buildings lacking power and schedule adjustments, it states no danger, consequence, or severity for people.

  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: It states no consequence or danger from the outage.
  2. absent: It notes schedule impacts but states no danger or harm the outage could cause people.
  3. absent: It reports buildings are without power but states no harm or severity to people.
  4. absent: It does not state any danger or consequence of the outage beyond schedule adjustments.
  5. absent: It notes buildings lack power but states no consequence or danger to people or property.
  6. absent: It describes schedule adjustments only and does not state any harm the outage could cause.
  7. absent: It does not state any consequence of the outage for safety or property, only schedule impacts to come.
  8. absent: It mentions "Building impacts" only vaguely and does not state any danger or consequence to people.
  9. absent: It reports the outage without describing any danger or consequence to people or property.
  10. absent: It mentions 'building impacts' only as scheduling matters and states no danger or harm from the outage.
  11. absent: It mentions schedule adjustments but never states any harm or severity resulting from the power outage.
  12. absent: It describes schedule adjustments but states no consequence or danger from the power loss.
  13. absent: It notes buildings lack power but states no harm, danger, or severity resulting from the outage.
  14. absent: No harm or severity from the outage is stated.
  15. absent: It reports buildings without power but states no danger or consequence to people.
  16. absent: It mentions schedule adjustments but does not state any danger or severity from the outage.
  17. absent: Being without power restates the outage itself; it says nothing about harm or danger to people.
  18. absent: It mentions "building impacts" without stating any danger or harm from the power outage.
  19. absent: It notes schedule adjustments but conveys no harm or danger from the outage.
  20. absent: It notes schedule adjustments but never describes any danger or harm resulting from the power outage.
  21. absent: It states that buildings lack power but does not describe any danger or harm that could result.
  22. absent: It notes buildings lack power but states no consequence or danger to people.
  23. absent: No consequence or severity of the power outage is described beyond schedule adjustments.
  24. absent: It does not state any consequence or danger resulting from the power outage.
  25. absent: It notes buildings lack power but states no danger or consequence to people.