Many of us have emergency alerts turned on in our phone settings for severe weather, natural disasters, AMBER alerts, and other high-priority notifications. Did you know you might be missing important local alerts? In our area, residents can sign up for free alerts from both the state and county governments.
State-Level Alerts
To sign up for New York State alerts, you need an NY.gov account. New York offers alerts by phone, text message, email, and fax. When you sign up, you can select as many notification platforms as you’d like. Registration for alerts is free, but you may be subject to fees through your platform. For example, if your phone plan charges for text messages, alerts would be charged by your carrier at the standard rate.
The state sends out notifications regarding severe weather, transportation advisories, AMBER/missing children, public health, consumer protection, and sex offender relocation. Choose as many of these categories as you’d like.
Know that when you sign up for alerts, your information will not be used for any purpose other than notification.
Sign up for alerts from New York State
Scroll to the bottom of the registration page to download detailed sign-up guides.
County-Level Alerts
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) is a state organization that provides county-specific notifications via text message. To register for alerts, text the name of your county to 333111. (Do not include the word “county” or any punctuation, or you will receive an error.) No NY.gov ID is needed.
To see the types of alerts that will be sent, scroll to the bottom of the DHSES alert information page for a chart of alerts.
If you’d like to receive alerts from multiple counties or boroughs, send a text for each one. If you receive an error, confirm you are using the correct spelling using this county and borough list. Or, subscribe to all alerts for the state by texting NEWYORKSTATE to 333111.
If you would also like email notifications, you will be given the option to provide your email address when you receive your first text.
To stop receiving texts, text STOP to 333111 and follow the prompts. Use the Unsubscribe function at the bottom of any email to stop receiving email notifications.
View the video instructions.
Summary
The most crucial step in any disaster plan is staying informed. Signing up for free state and county emergency alerts is a key first step.
