The new Emergency Alerts system went live on Sunday 19th March and will be tested nationally on Sunday 23rd April.
The system will enable people to be contacted via their mobile phone when lives are in danger.
It will be used to warn you in the event of emergencies, such as:
- Severe flooding
- Fires
- Extreme weather
Emergency Alerts are sent to all compatible mobile phones within an area of risk. They don’t track your location, need your phone number, or collect personal data. Only the government and the emergency services will be able to send them. If you don’t have a mobile phone, you’ll still be kept informed through other channels.
If you get an Emergency Alert on your phone, you’ll hear a loud, siren-like sound. A message on your screen will tell you about the emergency and how best to respond.
If you receive an alert, read the alert carefully and follow the instructions.
To find out more about Emergency Alerts, visit gov.uk/alerts