There are multiple alert systems in the state to ensure you receive disaster warning information as soon as a hazard event occurs.
Local alert systems include:
- Connecticut Alert Emergency Notification System (CT Alert ENS)
- NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards
- Emergency Alert System (EAS)
- Social Media
CT Alert ENS
CT Alert ENS allows state and local officials to help protect lives and property by providing critical information to residents during emergencies.
CT Alert ENS allows residents to add multiple means of communication for redundancy, including email, text messaging, mobile phone messages, and more. The system enables authorities to quickly send out emergency alerts to residents in any affected geographic area within the state.
Visit the CT Alert ENS website to sign up for alerts.
NOAA Weather Radio
The National Weather Service (NWS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) broadcasts emergency information on seven special frequencies which cannot be received by standard radio receivers. NOAA Weather Radios are designed to pick up and announce broadcasts made from those frequencies, even if the radio is turned off. With a NOAA Weather Radio (available at most electronics retailers at prices ranging from $20 to $200), you will receive immediate broadcasts of severe weather warnings and civil emergency messages.
Look for these features when purchasing a NOAA Weather Radio:
- Alarm tone
Allows the radio to be set on silent but to produce a special tone to alert you to severe weather - Specific area message encoding (SAME)
Provides area-specific information by filtering out alerts that are not relevant to your immediate area - Hand-crank or battery-operated functionality
The radio should be able to operate on batteries or or hand-cranked power - Tunable to all NWS frequencies
- Feature for the hearing and visually impaired
A feature that allows radios to connect the alarms to other attention-getting devices, such as personal computers and text printers
Emergency Alert System
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designed the Emergency Alert System (EAS) so officials can quickly send out important emergency information targeted to a specific area. EAS also accounts for the needs of functional needs populations, such as the deaf and those with special language requirements. To receive EAS alerts, you must be watching or listening to an FCC-regulated broadcast. You can learn to recognize the tones that precede Emergency Alert System messages by paying attention to the many tests that are performed on television and radio.
For more information, visit the FCC’s Emergency Alert System page.
Social Media
Social media outlets are an effective way for people to receive timely emergency information. By subscribing to relevant news feeds, you will receive important emergency warnings and response information on your computer, PDA, or smart phone. Examples of social media outlets that help to increase your disaster awareness include:
- Office of Governor Dan Malloy for the State of Connecticut
- Hartford Courant
- WFSB News 3
- WTNH News 8
- The National Hurricane Center
Text Alerts
- Hartford Courant: Text “NEWS” to 37798
Msg & data rates may apply. You will receive up to 8 msgs per day. Text STOP to 37798 to end subscription. You may receive subsequent messages clarifying or confirming your opt-out request. Text HELP to 37798 for help. Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy: tribune.com.
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