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Stay alerted on
your phone to
weather dangers
STAFF REPORT
Various weather
and news apps
on your electronic
devices can keep
you informed
about dangerous
weather conditions
There also are
Wireless Emergency
Alerts that can be
broadcast by the
Commercial Mobile
Alert System:
Imminent threat
alerts typically
are issued by the
National Weather
Service; these would
include tornado,
flash flooding, ice
storm and blizzard
warnings. 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 down-
loads in progress. If you're on the phone when the alert
goes out, you'll 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're on the road and enter an area with an active
warning, you'll receive a WEA message as soon as you
come within range of one of the affected cell towers.
Check with your service provider to find out if your phone
is WEA-capable.
Other local options: ALERT CHARLOTTE Emergency
Alert Program: Get alerted about emergencies by signing
up for Alert Charlotte. This system provides you with
critical information quickly such as severe weather, unex-
pected road closures, missing persons and evacuations
of buildings or neighborhoods. www.charlottecountyfl.gov/
services/emergencymgmt/Pages/Alert-Charlotte.aspx
SHUTTERSTOCK
Word Search puzzle answers, from page 37
