Sonoma County to Test Emergency Alerts

On September 10^th and 12^th Sonoma County will test emergency alert and warning systems. During this testing period, residents and visitors may receive a phone call, an alert on their mobile device, or experience interruptions in local radio and television. After the tests, Sonoma County Emergency Management will study any gaps in the existing systems and make improvements for a safer, more prepared County. 

“In a disaster, there are never too many ways to receive a life-saving alert, that’s why Sonoma County will use multiple ways to reach you if there is a threat to your life or property,” stated Sonoma County Board Chair James Gore. “These tests will demonstrate the full capabilities of our alert systems, so we can maximize our ability to reach you in an emergency.”

On September 10, 2018, in the evening, Sonoma County Emergency Management will test the SoCoAlert system.

• What to expect: A phone call. This test will call all SoCoAlert subscribers, and landlines.

SoCoAlert is used in emergency situations only, and notifications are centered on taking actions to save lives and property. The alerts will be specific to the address you provide when you sign up for SoCoAlert. Sign up at SoCoAlert.com or call (866) 939-0911 to receive alerts.

On September 12,2018, from 10 am – 12 pm, Sonoma County will activate the Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system and Emergency Alert System (EAS).

• What to expect:
  • An alert on your mobile device. Sonoma County will send Wireless Emergency Alerts to Healdsburg, Guerneville, Roseland, Glen Ellen/Kenwood, and Penngrove. The alert should display on all compatible mobile devices with a special tone and vibration, and a brief text notification.
  • A message on local television and radio. Local radio and television will broadcast a test message using the Emergency Alert System.

Sonoma County sends Wireless Emergency Alerts when there is an immediate threat to life and property. The messages are targeted to compatible mobile devices in specific geographic regions. While you do not need to sign up, your phone alert will only arrive if you have not disabled the notifications and have a compatible phone. The Emergency Alert System is only activated for wide-spread emergencies because it can only be targeted to the whole County or Bay Area.

The Emergency Alert tests are intended to ensure public safety officials have the methods and systems that will deliver urgent alerts and warnings to the public in times of emergency or disaster. To achieve this goal, the Wireless Emergency Alert test on September 12, 2018 will include a link to a survey. The survey will provide Emergency Managers information on where and when people received the alert.

For more information, visit SoCoEmergency.org and sign up for SoCoAlerts at SoCoAlert.com.

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