Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, or IPAWS, is FEMA's national system for local alerting that provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public through mobiles phones, radio, and television. Eau Claire County may utilize IPAWS to send the following types of alerts:

• Imminent Threat Alerts include natural or human-made disasters, extreme weather, active shooters, and other threatening emergencies that are current or emerging.
• Public Safety Alerts contain information about a threat that may not be imminent or after an imminent threat has occurred. Public safety alerts are less severe than imminent threat alerts.

Customers are not charged for the delivery of IPAWS messages and the alerts resemble a text message.

IPAWS can save lives. Do not ignore the messages. They contain basic information to notify you about a threat. If you receive an IPAWS, seek additional information from a trusted source, such as government agencies or local radio and TV stations.

You do not need to sign up for IPAWS, it is sent out automatically based on geographic location, however you should make sure your phone has the alerts turned on. Below are instructions for Apple and Android phones:

On an Apple/iPhone:

1. Go to settings > Notifications
2. Scroll to the bottom of the screen
3. Under "Government Alerts" turn on alerts for AMBER Alerts, Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts.

On an Android phone:

1. On your Android device, open Settings
2. Tap Notifications and then Wireless emergency alerts
3. Select the alerts you want to receive

The following applications will alert for severe weather alerts based on your location.

FEMA App

Stay updated with severe weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five locations across the U.S.; learn how to stay safe before, during, and after over 20 types of hazards; save a custom list of the items in your family’s emergency kit; and locate and receive driving directions to open shelters and disaster recovery centers. You can also submit disaster-related photos to a public map using the Disaster Reporter feature. The FEMA App is also available in Spanish. Download the app to your mobile device or smartphone free on iTunes or Google Play. Learn more at www.fema.gov/mobile-app.

American Red Cross Emergency App

The Red Cross Emergency app combines more than 35 different types of severe weather and emergency alerts. You can choose the alerts that are important to your location or the location of loved ones. The “Family Safe” feature allows you to notify loved ones that an alert has been issued in their area and check to see if they are safe. The app also offers information on what to do before, during, and after severe weather hits and how to find open Red Cross Shelters. All content is also available in Spanish. You can download the app to your mobile device or smartphone free on iTunes (Apple-iOS 6.0 or later) and Google Play (Android). Learn more at www.redcross.org/prepare/mobile-apps.

Weather Channel App

Tracks weather and provides local forecasts and push alerts of severe weather to your mobile device. Download the app to your mobile device or smartphone free on iTunes (Apple-iOS 6.0 or later), Google Play (Android), App World (BlackBerry), and Windows Phone at www.weather.com/apps.

A NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest National Weather Service office. NWR broadcasts official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Working with the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Alert System, NWR is an “All-Hazards” radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information.

NWR requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. A NOAA Weather radio can be purchased at many big box retailers as well as online for around $30-50.

Outdoor sirens are used to alert people outdoors of an immediate danger so they can take cover. The system is not designed to be heard inside building walls.

To see the locations of Eau Claire County Outdoor Sirens: Click Here

During inclement weather, our office utilizes social media to push emergency messaging as well as response or recovery information to citizens. Follow our office on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram for trusted information during severe weather, an emergency, or disaster.