WEA stands for Wireless Emergency Alerts, which are emergency messages sent by authorized government alerting authorities through mobile carriers to mobile devices such as cell phones and pagers. 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. Some key features of WEA include:

• Message content: WEA messages are usually less than 90 characters and will typically show the type and time of the alert, any action you should take, and the agency issuing the alert.

• Message delivery: WEA messages are broadcast from area cell towers to mobile phones within the defined geographic location, and every WEA-capable phone within range receives the message.

• Message appearance: WEA messages look like a text message and include a special tone and vibration, both repeated twice.

WEA is one of many ways you can receive emergency notifications. Other sources include NOAA Weather Radio, news media coverage, the Emergency Alert System on radio and TV broadcasts, desktop applications, mobile applications, and other alerting methods offered by local and state public safety agencies.