Alert Iowa Statewide Messaging System
Alert Iowa is the State of Iowa’s official emergency notification system. Through Alert Iowa, State and local officials are able to utilize a single, statewide notification system that provides local control of how and when to disseminate emergency and public safety messages to residents. Learn if your county is participating and sign up now to receive free alerts via text message, email, and/or voice message.
- Add your address to receive geo-targeted alerts
- Indicate what types of alerts you want to receive including weather, traffic, emergency, and more.
- Indicate how you want to be notified by text, email, and/or voice message.

Sign up to receive emergency notifications
Sign up to receive alerts in your county. Citizens can sign up using three different processes.
- Create a profile through your county’s website opt-in page
- Download the Smart911 app and create a customized profile
- Send a text message to opt-in

Option #2
Download the Smart911 app & Opt-In
Receive targeted community and weather alerts. Download the Smart911 app for free and opt-in to plan ahead for emergencies.
Messages can be delivered via text, email and/or voice message. Additional language options for messaging may be available.
Option #3
Send a text message to opt-in
This is the quickest way to sign up. Send a text message to 672-83 with your County Name followed by IA. Example: FremontIA
Messages can be delivered via text, email and/or voice message. Additional language options for messaging may be available.

Alert iowa Counties
The Iowa county map below shows the counties that have signed up to join the Alert Iowa system. Citizens will be able to sign up to receive alerts on the county’s registration page. If you choose, you may sign up to receive alerts in multiple counties.

Is your county not participating in the State Alert system? You can still receive targeted weather alerts and community alerts across the State through the Smart911 App!
92 counties currently signed up
* Denotes counties that are not currently part of the Alert Iowa network

What are wireless emergency alerts?
Wireless emergency alerts (WEAs) are used to send concise, text-like messages to WEA-capable mobile devices during emergency situations. WEAs are sent by state and local public safety officials, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the President of the United States. View Wireless Emergency Alerts introduction in PDF format.
More than 100 wireless providers, including all of the largest carriers, have WEA-capable devices. WEA-capable phones first became available in April 2012, but many mobile devices, especially older ones, are not WEA-capable. If you purchase a new mobile device, it will probably be able to receive WEA messages.
There are three types of alerts, as listed below.

How to Enable Alerts on a Cellular Phone
iPhone Instructions – By default, Government Alerts are turned on for your device. If you want to turn these alerts on or off, follow these steps: Go to Settings > Notifications. Scroll to the bottom of the screen.
Android OS Instructions – In Android phones, the exact location of the options to enable WEAs vary. Use the search function in the Settings app to find Emergency Alerts. Turn on the ability to allow alerts, or a similar setting you may see.

Presidential
Alerts are issued by the President or a designee during a national emergency.

Imminent Threat
Alerts are issued when an imminent threat to life or property exists in your area, including man-made or natural disasters such as flash floods and tornadoes.

Amber
Alerts are issued to help law enforcement search for and locate an abducted child.

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