Wireless Emergency Alerts
In weather emergencies, warnings can save lives. But traditional warning methods such as television, radio and outdoor sirens don't always reach everyone.
Beginning in June 2012, emergency officials had a new way to send warnings directly to cell phones in affected areas — Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs).
These short messages may look like a text message, but unlike texts, which are sent directly to your phone number, these warnings will be broadcast to all phones within range of designated cell towers through the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS).
The alerts will tell you the type of warning in your area and the duration. You'll need to turn to other sources, such as television or your NOAA All-Hazards radio, to get more detailed information about what is happening and what actions to take, if any.
Key facts to know:
- WEA messages may look like a text, or appear over your home screen.
- View the message as you would any text, and seek additional information (e.g, media). Do not delete the message as it may be retransmitted back to your phone.
- The alert message will include a unique ringtone and vibration.
- You will never be charged for WEA messages (NO fee or subscription).
- Emergency alerts will not interrupt any calls or downloads in progress. If you're on the phone when the alert goes out, you'll get the message when you end your call.
- You need not have GPS or any other special features turned on to receive the alerts.
- The system does not identify your location or phone number — it simply sends the message to all devices in a given area.
- If you're on the road and enter an area with an active warning, you'll receive a WEA message as soon as you come within range of one of the affected cell towers.
Is your phone ready for WEA?
If you have an older model phone, you may not receive the Wireless Emergency Alerts. Some, such as newer-model iPhone and Android phones, will soon receive software updates that add this feature.
Check with your service provider to find out if your phone is WEA-capable. AT&T, Cricket, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon all have information about the new alert system on their websites. Search for WEA (Wireless Emergency Alerts) or CMAS (Commercial Mobile Alert System) to find your provider's list of WEA-capable phones.
Cell tower geography may lead to overwarning
Because cell towers broadcast in a radius, or circle, their coverage areas don't line up neatly with county boundaries. This means you may receive warnings for an adjacent county if you're within a few miles of the border.
The alerts are delivered directly from cell tower to cell phone through a one-way broadcast. The Commercial Mobile Alert System does not track
or locate individual cell phones or phone numbers — it simply broadcasts to all phones within range. Unfortunately, in some cases, this
may result in overwarning.
For example, if a tornado warning is issued for a particular county, it will go to all towers that serve that county.
Towers in urban areas generally serve a radius of two to five miles, and in rural areas up to 10 miles, so the warning message may reach a little beyond the warning boundaries.
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Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA): Three Types of Warnings
The Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) can be used to broadcast 3 types of WEA:
- PRESIDENTIAL ALERTS — Issued by the U.S. President in the event of a nationwide emergency.
- IMMINENT THREAT ALERTS — Typically issued by the National Weather Service; for San Diego, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, these would include flash flooding, dust storm and tornado warnings. For the counties of San Diego and Orange this also would include tsunami warnings (not advisories).
- AMBER ALERTS — Issued by law enforcement (CHP) to share information about a child abduction.
No president in history has issued a presidential alert, but should one become necessary, cell phone providers are required to broadcast it to all WEA-capable phones.
Cell phone users may choose to opt out of imminent threat and/or AMBER alerts, but the procedures vary by carrier. Some providers will allow customers to opt out of one or the other, while others only allow you to opt out of both. Contact your wireless provider for more information.
If you receive a message then acknowledge it (do not delete) and seek additional information. A deleted message can lead to retransmitted text messages. It is encouraged for all residents not to disable these potentially life-saving messages but phones have options.
Original document from the Kansas City Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee. To learn more, contact your local emergency management office or wireless service provider.
Useful Links
Weather Ready Nation WEA website including FAQ's http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/wea.html
Wireless consumer information http://www.ctia.org/consumer_info/safety/index.cfm/AID/12082
Article on WEA http://www.noaa.gov/features/03_protecting/wireless_emergency_alerts.html
10 minute video on CMAS/WEA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVhX_SbVxnY
More Questions? contact
National Weather Service, San Diego
Alex Tardy alexander.tardy@noaa.gov (Local) or susan.buchanan@noaa.gov (National)
Source: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/briefing/WEA_NWSSGX3.pdf
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