Recent changes to weather alerting from the National Weather Service

In June 2012, the National Weather Service introduced a program that automatically sends weather and other civil emergency messages to wireless telephones (cell phones) around cell tower sites in the area of the hazard. This program is automatic and federally mandated. This means that users are not required “opt-in” to begin receiving these alerts.  All messages are at no charge to the user.

Guilford County Emergency Management is not responsible for, and has no control over the operation of this program. If you have questions regarding this program, please see this web link: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/wea.html or contact your local National Weather Service office.

With this new program, you may receive alerts for the following hazards:

·         Tornado Warnings
·         Flash Flood Warnings

·         Hurricane Warnings

·         Ice Storm Warnings

·         Extreme Wind Warnings

·         AMBER Alerts

·         Extreme emergency messages from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and/or Guilford County Emergency Management

You will NOT receive alerts for Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, or any designated weather watches.

This does not affect your need to register for the Guilford Emergency Alert, Notification and Information (GEANI) system. You still may register for this system here: www.readyguilford.org.

Please note that due to the age of your wireless telephone and/or the technology associated with it, that you may not be able to receive these messages. For more information contact your wireless provider.

Please see the frequently asked questions that may be found at the National Weather Service website http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/wea.html.