Verify that you can get loud, clear emergency alerts on your phone.

How to turn on severe weather notifications on Android, iPhone, and other devices.

• • With hurricane season now under way and the disastrous floods that occurred in Texas earlier this month, it is more crucial than ever to have a phone that can plainly and loudly warn you of impending danger. Only when individuals are aware of the urgency and get emergency notifications in a timely manner will they be effective. However, a large number of Texans claimed to have received flood warnings either too late or not at all, highlighting weaknesses in public alerting systems.
  • The procedures listed below will guarantee that your phone is configured to send emergency alerts that can break through quiet mode, wake you up, and perhaps save your life in an emergency, regardless of whether you live in a tornado alley, hurricane-prone location, or simply want to be ready.

1. Activate the iPhone’s Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).

• • Select Government Alerts under Settings > Notifications. Verify that the Always Play Sound, Emergency Alerts, and Public Safety Alerts are on. The option to “Always Play Sound” is essential. This guarantees that notifications will continue to sound even if your phone is in Do Not Disturb or silent mode.
  • On Android gadgets:
  • Select Wireless Emergency Alerts under Settings > Safety & Emergency (the exact position may differ based on the type of your phone).
  • Make sure that Extreme Threats and Severe Threats are turned on, and turn on Allow Alerts.
  • Even in the middle of the night, these notifications employ a loud, clear tone and vibration pattern to catch your attention.

2. Turn on location services to ensure precision

• • Emergency notifications are frequently geo-targeted. Your phone could not get a pertinent alert if it doesn’t know where you are.
  • Regarding iPhones:
  • Navigate to Location Services > Weather under Settings > Privacy & Security.
  • Enable Precise Location and set it to Always Allow.
  • For gadgets running Android:
  • Verify that location permissions are enabled for your emergency or weather applications.
  • If “Use Precise Location” is supported by your phone, turn it on.
  • You risk missing localized alerts or, more annoyingly, getting alerts for places you’re not in if you don’t have location services.

3. Add local alert services and weather applications as a supplement.

• • Government notifications are essential, but there are other ways to remain informed as well. In the event of an emergency weather event, redundancy is essential to keeping safe.
  • Install applications such as the American Red Cross Emergency App, NOAA Weather Radar Live, and Storm Shield. These can deliver audio alerts or push notifications, which frequently arrive sooner than WEA alerts. A lot of them can also bypass quiet mode.
  • Additionally, don’t forget to register for your county’s or city’s emergency alert system, which could include targeted emails, phone calls, or texts. Having many mechanisms in place guarantees that, even in the event that one alarm is overlooked or fails, you will still receive the information.

4. As a backup, use a NOAA weather radio.

• • Technology isn’t always reliable. Towers of cells collapse. The power is cut off. The National Weather Service advises having a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio on hand because of this. Particularly at night or during power outages, a weather radio may literally save lives and is never dependent on cell connectivity.
  • SAME (Specific Area Message Encoding) to configure for your area, loud alarms, and several power sources (battery, solar, and crank) are all considered best practices. Midland and Raynic radios, which are readily accessible online, are dependable choices.

5. Regularly test your system

• • Your alarm system requires upkeep, much like a smoke detector. Here are some tips for keeping your system in good condition:
  • Verify that WEA notifications are still enabled on a regular basis.
  • Make sure your applications are up to date and working.
  • Check to make sure system upgrades haven’t affected the volume or alert settings on your phone.
  • Check the NOAA radio and change the batteries if necessary.
  • When a genuine threat materializes, proactive checks can help you take prompt action and avoid false security.

6. Personalize notifications and promote wise usage

• • To guarantee that alarms are noticeable and heeded:
  • For weather notifications and other alerting applications, you may alter the vibration pattern or tone.
  • Never disable or disregard alerts after receiving a misclassified or non-emergency message.
  • Family members, particularly elderly relatives who might not be tech-savvy, should be encouraged to follow suit.
  • To cut down on confusion and boost reaction, several experts recommend that alert tones be more differentiated across various signal kinds (such as weather alerts and Amber alerts).

The importance of emergency notifications nowadays

• • Even contemporary alarm systems aren’t flawless, as the recent flooding in Texas brought to light. Due to similar tones, some reported mistaking flood alarms for other alerts or receiving warnings too late, after the water had already risen. This type of delay might make the difference between successfully fleeing and being trapped in potentially fatal situations in areas that are prone to hurricanes or flooding.
  • Making sure your phone is configured to receive and react to emergency notifications is a minor but crucial step in safeguarding yourself and your family, especially as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe due to climate change.

Here are a few more resources:

• How to Get Ready for Natural Disasters Like Hurricanes, Wildfires, and Storms
• Protect Your Pets While Evacuating Due to a Wildfire
• Emergency Preparedness: Three Strategies to Retrieve Vital Records Following a Natural Disaster
• 16 Emergency Applications for Earthquakes, Wildfires, and Other Catastrophes
• Take These 11 Steps to Easily Manage a Blackout
• Wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and intruders: Four Uses for Your Phone in an Emergency
• Severe weather is getting worse due to climate change. To strengthen your home, follow these four steps.

Disclaimer:
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to serve as official emergency guidance. While the steps provided aim to help improve your emergency alert settings, alert delivery may vary depending on your location, carrier, device model, and local emergency systems. We are not responsible for missed alerts, technical issues, or any damages that may occur from relying solely on mobile notifications. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please refer to your local emergency management agency, device manufacturer, and official government resources such as FEMA or the National Weather Service.