Warning Systems & Signals

An emergency radio.Stay informed during a disaster through emergency broadcasts.

Find out what kinds of disasters, both natural and accidental, are most likely to occur in your area and how you will be notified.

Methods of getting your attention vary from community to community. One common method is to broadcast via emergency radio and TV broadcasts. You might hear a special siren, or get a telephone call or emergency workers may go door-to-door.

Many communities also offer emergency alert notifications through their own systems. Check with your state or local government to learn what is available in your area.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) Screen

To enhance public safety, a free Wireless Emergency Alerts service is rolling out. WEA messages are text-like alert messages received by your mobile device during an emergency in your area. The purpose of WEA is to provide an increasingly mobile American public with a free and fast way to receive critically important information.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why is this important to me?
    Alerts received at the right time can help keep you safe during an emergency. With WEA, warnings can be sent to your mobile device when you may be in harm’s way, without need to download an app or subscribe to a service.
  2. What are WEA messages?
    Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting authorities through your mobile carrier.
  3. What types of alerts will I receive?
    Extreme weather, and other threatening emergencies in your area
    AMBER Alerts
    Presidential Alerts during a national emergency
  4. What does a WEA message look like?
    WEA will look like a text message. The WEA message will show the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, and the agency issuing the alert. The message will be no more than 90 characters.
  5. How will I know the difference between WEA and a regular text message?
    WEA messages include a special tone and vibration, both repeated twice.
  6. What types of WEA messages will the National Weather Service send?
    Tsunami Warnings
    Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings
    Hurricane, Typhoon, Dust Storm and Extreme Wind Warnings
    Blizzard, Ice Storm, and Lake Effect Snow Warnings
  7. What should I do when I receive a WEA message?
    Follow any action advised by the message. Seek more details from local media or authorities.
  8. Will I receive a WEA message if I’m visiting an area where I don’t live, or outside the area where my phone is registered?
    Yes, if you have a WEA-capable phone and your wireless carrier participates in the program. (142 carriers, including all of the largest carriers, do.)
  9. What if I travel into a threat area after a WEA message is already sent?
    If you travel into a threat area after an alert is first sent, your WEA-capable device will receive the message when you enter the area.
  10. When will I start receiving WEA messages?
    It depends. WEA weather alerts began in June, but many mobile devices, especially older ones, are not WEA-capable. When you buy a new mobile device, it probably will be able to receive WEA messages. Check with your wireless carrier.
  11. Is this the same service public safety agencies have asked the public to register for?
    No, but they are complementary. Local agencies may have asked you to sign up to receive telephone calls, text messages, or emails. Those messages often include specific details about a critical event. WEA alerts are very short messages designed to get your attention in a critical situation. They may not give all the details you receive from other notification services. The public should turn to radio, TV or NOAA Weather Radio for further instructions.
  12. Will I be charged for receiving WEA messages?
    No. This service is offered for free by wireless carriers. WEA messages will not count towards texting limits on your wireless plan.
  13. Does WEA know where I am? Is it tracking me?
    No. Just like emergency weather alerts you see on local TV, WEA are broadcast one-way from area cell towers to mobile devices in the area. Every WEA-capable phone within range receives the message, just like every TV displays an emergency weather alert if it is turned on. TV stations, like WEA, don’t know exactly who is tuned in.
  14. Will a WEA message interrupt my phone conversations?
    No, the alert will be delayed until you finish your call.
  15. How often will I receive WEA messages?
    You may get very few WEA messages, or you may receive frequent messages when conditions change during an emergency. The number of messages depends on the number of imminent threats to life or property in your area.
  16. If, during an emergency, I can’t make or receive calls or text messages due to network congestion, will I still be able to receive a WEA message?
    Yes, WEA messages are not affected by network congestion.
  17. What if I don’t want to receive WEA messages?
    You can opt-out of receiving WEA messages for imminent threats and AMBER alerts, but not for Presidential messages. To opt out, adjust settings on your mobile device.
  18. How will I receive alerts if I don’t have a WEA-capable device?
    WEA is only one of the ways you receive emergency alerts. Check with you wireless carrier to see if WEA service is available in your area and if your wireless device is WEA-capable.
    Other sources include NOAA Weather Radio, TV and radio news broadcasts, the Emergency Alert System on radio and TV programs, outdoor sirens, and other alerting methods offered by local and state public safety agencies.

Emergency Alert System (EAS)

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) can address the entire nation on very short notice in case of a grave threat or national emergency. Ask if your local radio and TV stations participate in EAS.

NOAA Weather Radio

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from a nearby National Weather Service office to specially configured NOAA weather radio receivers. Determine if NOAA Weather Radio is available where you live. If so, consider purchasing a NOAA weather radio receiver.

Last updated: 02/12/2013 - 09:49 AM