--- source_url: "https://www.ready.gov/alerts" title: "Emergency Alerts | Ready.gov" mirrored_at: 2026-08-12T01:00:58.842Z host: www.ready.gov cited_in_42a: true mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/www.ready.gov/alerts" --- > **Original source:** https://www.ready.gov/alerts [ Wireless Emergency Alerts ](#wea)[ Emergency Alert System ](#eas)[ NOAA Weather Radio ](#noaa)[ Integrated Public Alert and Warning System ](#ipaws)[ FEMA App ](#app)[ Additional Resources ](#content) When emergencies strike, public safety officials use timely and reliable systems to alert you. This page describes different warning alerts you can get and how to get them. ## **Wireless Emergency Alerts** [Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs)](https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/wireless-emergency-alerts) are short emergency alerts authorities can send to any WEA-enabled mobile device in a locally targeted area. [Alerting Authorities](https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public-safety-officials/alerting-authorities) who are authorized to send WEAs include state, local, tribal and territorial public safety officials, the [National Weather Service](https://www.weather.gov/), the [National Center for Missing and Exploited Children](https://www.missingkids.org/) and the President of the United States. - WEAs look like text messages but are designed to get your attention with a unique sound and vibration repeated twice. - WEAs are not affected by network congestion and will not disrupt texts, calls or in progress data sessions. - You are not charged for receiving WEAs, and there is no need to subscribe. - WEAs are sent through FEMA’s [Integrated Public Alert and Warning System](https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public-safety-officials/alerting-authorities/best-practices). - Children will also receive alerts on their WEA-enabled mobile devices. Parents and guardians: talk to your children about WEAs and staying safe in an emergency. A fact sheet about WEAs for kids can be found [here](https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/wea-for-kids.pdf). ![alert - info](https://www.ready.gov/profiles/readyd8_gov/themes/uswds_ready/img/arrow.svg) **If you are not receiving WEAs here are some tips to troubleshoot your mobile device:** 1. **Check the settings on your mobile device and review your user manual (you may be able to find this online too).** - Older phones may not be WEA capable, and some cell phone models require you to enable WEAs. - Some mobile service providers call these messages “Government Alerts” or “Emergency Alert Messages.” 2. **Check with your wireless provider to see if they can resolve the issue.** - All major phone providers and some smaller providers participate in WEA. - [Federal Communications Commission (FCC)](https://www.fcc.gov/public-safety-and-homeland-security/policy-and-licensing-division/alerting/general/wireless) registry of WEA providers. To provide comments or concerns about WEAs sent in your area, [contact local officials directly](https://www.fema.gov/locations). ## **Emergency Alert System** The [Emergency Alert System (EAS)](https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-alert-system) is a national public warning system that allows the president to address the nation within 10 minutes during a national emergency. Other authorized [federal, state, local, tribal and territorial alerting authorities](https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public-safety-officials/alerting-authorities/best-practices) may use the system to deliver important emergency information such as weather information, imminent threats, AMBER alerts and local incident information targeted to specific areas. - The EAS is sent through broadcast TV and radio, satellite digital audio services, direct broadcast satellite providers, cable television systems and wireless cable systems. - The president has sole responsibility for determining when the national-level EAS will be activated. FEMA and the FCC are responsible for national-level tests and exercises. - The EAS is also used when all other means of alerting the public are unavailable. ## **National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio** [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR)](https://www.weather.gov/nwr/) is a nationwide network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information from the nearest National Weather Service office based on your physical location. - NWR broadcasts official warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day, seven days a week. - NWR also broadcasts alerts of non-weather emergencies such as national security or public safety threats through the Emergency Alert System. ## **Integrated Public Alert and Warning System** The [Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS)](https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system) is FEMA’s national system for local alerting. It gives federal, state, local, tribal and territorial public safety agencies the ability to send WEAs, EAS alerts, weather and non-weather-related emergency messages simultaneously through NOAA weather radios and alerts through systems like sirens and digital billboards. - IPAWS empowers local Alerting Authorities to send their own emergency alerts. FEMA does not review, edit or approve alerts. - There are no costs to receive or send alerts sent through IPAWS. Alerting Authorities may incur minimal costs to purchase IPAWS compatible software. - IPAWS alerts can be locally targeted to ensure only devices in the affected area receive the alert. ## FEMA App The [FEMA App](http://www.ready.gov/fema-app) allows you to receive real-time weather and emergency alerts, send notifications to loved ones, locate emergency shelters in your area, get preparedness strategies and more. - Receive real-time weather and emergency alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations nationwide.  - Find a nearby shelter if you need to evacuate to a safe space. - Find out if your location is eligible for FEMA assistance, find Disaster Recovery Center locations, and get answers to your most pressing questions. ## **Additional Resources** - [Wireless Emergency Alerts Fact Sheet](https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-08/wea-fact-sheet.pdf) (PDF) - [Kids: Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Word Search Puzzle](https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/wea-for-kids.pdf) (PDF) - [A Guide for Alerts and Warnings](https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2022-02/fema_guide-for-alerts-and-warnings_2021.pdf.pdf) (PDF) - [Listen to Local Officials Graphics Collection](https://www.ready.gov/collection/local-officials)