What is Norfolk Alert?

Norfolk Alert is an emergency notification system that allows our community members to receive real-time updates on emergencies and other critical situations affecting their area. This service is provided by the Department of Emergency Preparedness and Response in partnership with local public safety agencies.

Norfolk Alert allows you to sign up to receive emergency and community alerts and important weather notifications on your cell phone, work phone, home phone, text message, and e-mail. You may choose the locations you want to be contacted about. You can receive notifications about emergencies or community alerts that may affect your home, your parent's home, your workplace, and any other location important to you, as long as those locations are within the City of Norfolk.

What types of events could the system be activated for?

• Critically Endangered Missing Persons
• Emergency Evacuations
• Public Health Concerns
• Drinking Water Contamination
• Unexpected Street Closures 
• Critical Utility or Water Service Outages
• Crime-Related Situations Causing an Immediate Threat to a Specific Area

How do I sign up for Norfolk Alert?

To sign up for Norfolk Alert, visit our website and click on the "Sign Up" button. You will be asked to provide your contact information and select the types of alerts you want to receive. You can also choose the time of day when you prefer to receive non-emergency notifications, such as community events or public service announcements.

Is Norfolk Alert the same as Wireless Emergency Alerts?  

No, Wireless Emergency Alerts are part of FEMA's National Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS). The IPAWS Alerting System provides authenticated emergency and life-saving information to the public through mobile phones using Wireless Emergency Alerts, radio, and television via the Emergency Alert System, and on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Weather Radio.

During an occurring in an imminent emergency, we will first send life-saving alerts through the Wireless Emergency Alert System. This will allow us to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to as many mobile devices that are currently in or around the area where the emergency is occurring or is about to occur. Once the imminent threat has subsided, we will send subsequent alerts regarding that event to Norfolk Alert subscribers who have registered for the Norfolk Alert system. 

For more information, visit IPAWS-Wirless Emergency Alerts. 

What if my phone number or email address changes?

The system is only as good as the information you provide. If your cell phone, work phone, or email address changes, you must go to your profile and update the information. The one exception is listed as traditional landlines. If a listed traditional landline changes to another listed landline number, that information will be automatically updated annually.

For additional information, visit our Frequently Ask Questions page.