Emergency Notifications

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) sends free informational text messages to WEA-enabled cell phones within the range of an imminent and dangerous local situation, severe weather event, or AMBER emergency.

  • The WEA notification is designed to get your attention and notify you with a unique sound and vibration. When you receive an alert, take action and check local broadcasts for more information.
  • Public safety officials use WEA to send you essential information whenever you are near the location of a life-threatening event.
  • You do not need to register to receive WEA notifications. You will automatically receive alerts if you have a WEA-capable phone and your wireless carrier participates in the program.
  • To find out if your mobile device is capable of receiving WEA alerts, contact your mobile device carrier or visit the CTIA The Wireless Association website.
  • If you choose not to receive WEA messages, you can adjust the alert settings on your mobile device. You can opt-out of receiving imminent hazard and AMBER alerts, but you cannot opt-out of Presidential alerts.

Emergency Alert System (EAS)

  • The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), is a modernization and integration of the nation's existing and future alert and warning systems, technologies, and infrastructure.
  • IPAWS's EAS is the message dissemination pathway that sends warnings via broadcast, cable, satellite, and wireline services. EAS may be used by state and local authorities, in cooperation with the broadcast community, to deliver important emergency information, such as weather information, AMBER alerts, and local incident information targeted to specific areas.
  • The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters, satellite digital audio service and direct broadcast satellite providers, cable television systems, and wireless cable systems to provide the President with a communications capability to address the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency.
  • The President has sole responsibility for determining when the national-level EAS will be activated. Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) is responsible for national-level EAS tests and exercises.
  • EAS is also used when all other means of alerting the public are unavailable, providing an added layer of resiliency to the suite of available emergency communication tools.

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR)

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

  1. Wireless Emergency Alerts VideoFor information on emergency notifications, watch the “Wireless Emergency Alerts” video from FEMA.