NC Celebrates Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 1-7

This week is North Carolina’s annual Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 1-7. With warmer weather quickly approaching, now is the time to prepare for severe weather season. Dare County Emergency Management urges everyone to ensure they are able to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) messages on their cellular devices. In the middle of the night when a tornado warning is issued, having your phone turned on and able to receive alerts issued by the National Weather Service may save your life.  

Wireless Emergency Alerts are sent only during an emergency and based on your location. They are sent by authorized government authorities through your mobile carrier. You will only receive WEA messages when you and your cell phone are in the area of the emergency. Types of alerts include extreme weather warnings such as tornado, flash flood, tsunami, extreme wind and storm surge warnings.  

WEA messages look like a text message. The message will typically show the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, and the governmental agency issuing the alert. 

Many new mobile devices are WEA-capable. For more information about which mobile devices are WEA-capable and carrier participation, please contact your wireless carrier. Certain devices have the capability for users to opt-in or out of WEA messaging. For more information on Wireless Emergency Alerts, view this fact sheet from the National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/media/wrn/WEA_flyer_final.pdf

On Wednesday, March 4 at 9:30 a.m. the National Weather Service will conduct a statewide tornado drill. The alarm test, which will come in the form of a Required Monthly Test, will activate the State Emergency Alert System and be carried by local radio broadcasters. 

For more information on how you can plan for severe weather season, visit ReadyNC.org.