Seconds Matter in an Emergency
For local accurate safety & preparedness information please visit the Pope County Sheriff's Facebook:
Emergency Alerts
For LOCAL Pope County alerts, you use Regroup. If you would like to set up your mobile device or landline, you must register. Use either sign-up button to enroll.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) – Three Types of Warnings
The Wireless Emergency Alert System can be used to broadcast three types of emergency alerts:
- Presidential Alerts – Issued by the U.S. President in the event of a nationwide emergency. No president has issued a presidential alert, but should one become necessary, cell phone providers are required to broadcast it to all WEA-capable phones.
- Imminent Threat Alerts – Typically issues by the National Weather Service; these could include both tornado warnings (“extreme”) and flash flood warnings (“severe”).Â
- Amber Alerts – Issued by law enforcement to share information about child abduction.
Cell phone users may choose to opt out of imminent threat and/or Amber Alerts, although it is recommended that residents not opt out of receiving these potentially life-saving messages.Â
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) – Key Things to Know:
- WEA messages may look like a text, or appear over your home screen.
- The alert message will include a unique ringtone and vibration.
- You will never be charged for WEA messages.
- Emergency alerts will not interrupt any calls or downloads in progress. If you are on the phone when the alert goes out, you will 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 are on the road and enter an area with an active warning, you will receive a WEA message as soon as you come within range of one of the affected cell towers.
For more information on alerts please visit https://www.ready.gov/alerts
IPAWS
IPAWS is used to communicate with the public who are in the specific area selected. The alert is sent to the towers in the area, then pushed out to all devices, stations, and radios that are affiliated to the towers.
On your personal devices, you must ensure that you have enabled the alert option.
IPAWS alerts can be sent out by:
- Federal Government
- Two State Agencies – Dept of Public Safety and BCA
- Tribal Government
- Local county public safety
IPAWS allows alerting authorities to send these types of alerts:
- EAS – radio, TV
- WEA – cell phones
- NOAA Weather Radios
- Internet Services – websites, apps, social media
NOAA Radio
Why You Need a Weather Radio
Weather radios are essential tools for keeping you and your family safe during severe weather events. Unlike cell phones and other communication devices that can lose signal or power, weather radios are designed to receive continuous updates directly from the National Weather Service, ensuring you stay informed even in the most extreme conditions.
Key benefits of owning a weather radio:
- Reliable Alerts: Receive immediate notifications for tornadoes, thunderstorms, and other severe weather warnings.
- 24/7 Coverage: Weather radios operate around the clock, providing real-time updates, regardless of power outages or cell network disruptions.
- Life-saving Information: In times of emergency, every second counts. Weather radios deliver the critical information you need to take action quickly.
Invest in a weather radio to stay prepared and protect your loved ones, especially during storm season!
For more information, please visit http://www.weather.gov/nwrÂ
