What does a Severe Weather Alert on my phone mean?

The short answer

A severe weather alert on your phone means a government weather agency has detected dangerous weather conditions in your area and is warning you to take action.

What triggers these alerts?

Severe weather alerts are sent through a system called Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) in the US, or similar systems in other countries. They come from official sources like the National Weather Service, not from apps or advertisers.

Common triggers include:

  • Tornadoes heading toward your area
  • Flash floods expected nearby
  • Severe thunderstorms with damaging winds or large hail
  • Hurricanes and tropical storms
  • Extreme heat or cold warnings
  • Tsunamis for coastal areas

Why did you get it?

Your phone received the alert because you are physically located in or near the affected area. These alerts are sent to all phones connected to cell towers in the warning zone, regardless of what carrier you use or what apps you have installed.

You do not need to sign up for them. They are automatic.

What should you do?

  • Read the full alert carefully for specific instructions
  • Take shelter immediately if a tornado or severe thunderstorm warning is active
  • Move to higher ground if a flash flood warning is issued
  • Stay indoors and away from windows during severe storms
  • Follow local news or weather apps for ongoing updates
  • Do not ignore it — these alerts are only sent for genuinely dangerous situations

Can you turn them off?

You can disable some weather alerts in your phone settings under Emergency Alerts or Wireless Emergency Alerts. However, the most critical alerts (like presidential alerts) cannot be turned off.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Notifications > scroll to the bottom. On Android, go to Settings > Safety & Emergency > Wireless Emergency Alerts.

When should you worry?

Take every severe weather alert seriously. If the alert says “warning” rather than “watch,” it means the dangerous weather is already happening or about to happen in your area. Act immediately — don’t wait to see it for yourself.