Alerts & Warnings
Washoe County Partners with the Cities of Reno and Sparks to institute a notification system for use in times of crisis. The Rave Alert system relays emergency messages simultaneously through various methods. Rave Alert is a cloud-based software solution that is trusted nationally by government agencies.
When a crisis occurs, local public safety officials use a few methods to alert the public:
- The Emergency Alert System (EAS). This system delivers messages via broadcast on radio and television.
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). These messages come to your cell phone via text and voice.
- Reverse-dial. A pre-recorded message is sent to your landline.
- Email. By signing up for alerts you can choose to receive notifications via email.
- Social & Traditional Media. Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
The Wireless Emergency Alerts system is an essential part of America's emergency preparedness. Since its launch in 2012, the WEA system has been used more than 78,000 times to warn the public about dangerous weather, missing children, and other critical situations – all through alerts on compatible cell phones and other mobile devices.
WEA is a public safety system that allows customers who own compatible mobile devices to receive geographically targeted, text-like messages alerting them of imminent threats to safety in their area. WEA enables Washoe County Emergency Management to target emergency alerts to specific geographic areas – Incline Village, for example.
The EAS is a national public warning system used by Washoe County to deliver important emergency information to affected communities. EAS participants – radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers, and wireline video providers – deliver local alerts on a voluntary basis, and they are required to provide the capability for the President to address the public during a national emergency.
**No system can ever be guaranteed to be disaster-proof during the chaos of an emergency and unforeseen circumstances can make some modes of communication inoperable. By using these four methods local officials make every effort to keep the public informed. Again, Washoe County makes no guarantees that you will be notified during an emergency, so we encourage self-reliance. However, by signing up you will be included in the database for emergency notifications.**
Weather Alerts
Citizens can register for severe weather alerts through the National Weather Service. These alerts are designed to help citizens prepare for major storms that are forecasted to affect our region. The Emergency Email and Wireless Network provides breaking weather forecast news directly to email accounts, with links to the relevant radar maps. Log onto The Emergency & Wireless Network to register.