If Disaster Strikes, Will You Be Ready?

3/2/2019 (Permalink)

Wireless Emergency Alerts are designed to inform you of imminent threats to safety or missing persons alerts in your area.

It is important to prepare before a disaster occurs. Consider the following steps to help you better prepare for an emergency situation.

• Sign up for local alerts and warnings, download apps and/or check access for wireless emergency alerts (see below for suggestions).
• Develop and test emergency communication plans.
• Assemble or update emergency supplies.
• Learn about local hazards and conduct a drill to practice emergency response actions.
• Participate in a preparedness discussion, training or class.
• Collect and safeguard critical documents.
• Plan with neighbors to help each other and share resources.
• Document property and obtain appropriate insurance for relevant hazards.
• Make property improvements to reduce potential injury and property damage.

Wireless Emergency Alerts

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are free notifications delivered to your mobile device as part of a public safety system provided by authorized government-alerting authorities. The alerts are designed to inform you of imminent threats to safety or missing persons alerts in your area (e.g., AMBER Alerts). Government partners include local and state public safety agencies, FEMA, the FCC, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Weather Service. A WEA can be sent to your mobile device when you may be in harm’s way, without downloading an app or subscribing to a service. WEAs may be used to share extreme weather warnings, local emergencies requiring evacuation or immediate action, AMBER Alerts, and Presidential Alerts during a national emergency.

A WEA will look like a text message. The WEA message will typically show the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, and the agency issuing the alert. The message will be no more than 90 characters.

The FEMA App

This app allows you to get National Weather Service alerts for up to five locations to keep you informed on-the-go. It also has information on what to do before, during, and after different disasters. In the midst of an emergency, the app can give you directions to open shelters nearby, help you locate someone to talk to at a Disaster Recovery Center, and let you share images of damage and recovery efforts to help first responders and emergency managers.

This app is available to download for free for iOS and Android at the Apple Store and on Google Play.

Emergencies can happen anytime to anyone. Make sure to take action now to protect yourself, your family and your property. If disaster does strike your property, make sure to give SERVPRO of North Everett/Lake Stevens/Monroe a call at 360-243-8313. We can help make the damage "Like it never even happened."