Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are the government's emergency alert system that reaches your phone during tornado warnings. Understanding how WEA works, how to enable it properly, and its limitations helps ensure you receive critical warnings.
Cellular-based emergency alert system
Sends alerts to phones in specific geographic areas
Uses cell tower broadcasts
Independent of individual apps
Federal government initiative
Started in 2012
Presidential Alerts - cannot be disabled
Extreme Threats (imminent) - includes tornado warnings
Severe Threats - severe thunderstorm warnings
Amber Alerts - missing children
Public Safety Alerts - test messages
Settings > Notifications
Scroll to bottom - Emergency Alerts section
Enable Extreme Alerts (required for tornado warnings)
Enable Severe Alerts
Enable AMBER Alerts (optional)
Test with drill mode occasionally
Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings
Wireless emergency alerts section
Enable Extreme threats
Enable Severe threats
Enable AMBER alerts
Verify with test alerts
Loud, distinctive alarm tone
Vibration and screen wake
Text description of threat
Location-specific warnings
Cannot be silenced during active event
Do Not Disturb doesn't block extreme alerts
Requires cellular signal
May not reach in dead zones
Small geographic accuracy (county-level)
May over-warn (false alarm rate)
Backup systems needed
Layer with NOAA radio and apps
WEA - system level, reliable
NOAA weather radio - dedicated device
Weather app - customized
Local TV/radio - backup
Community sirens - outdoor
Multi-source approach saves lives
→ Simulate a tornado on our map