Cellular telephone providers and the FCC are cooperating to send wireless emergency alerts (WEA) to your cell phone when warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS).
You may get a message on your mobile device screen alerting you to hazardous weather. There may be an audio alert as well. When you receive one of these weather alerts pay attention. Check local TV or radio or a good weather app for more information at the time of the event.
Emergency alerts sent to mobile devices can include tornadoes, extreme wind, flash floods and dust storms.
These alerts are sent via cell towers within or touching the severe weather polygon as defined by the NWS. They may not be exactly accurate but will increase awareness when severe weather is near, and provide severe weather warnings to those carrying cell phones with better focus than ever before.