Sonoma Co. To Test Emergency Alerts & Warning Systems

SONOMA COUNTY, CA – Sonoma County will test its emergency alert and warning systems on Sept. 10 and 12, and area residents may receive phone calls, alerts on mobile devices or experience interruptions in local radio and television service.

After the testing, Sonoma County Emergency Management will study any gaps in the existing systems to then make improvements for a more disaster-prepared county., officials said.

“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,” Sonoma County Board Chair James Gore said. “These tests will demonstrate the full capabilities of our alert systems, so we can maximize our ability to reach you in an emergency.”

On Sept. 10, 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 Sept. 12 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," officials said. 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 Systems test is 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 Sept. 12 will include a link to a survey, officials said. The survey will provide Emergency Managers information on where and when people received the alert.

• ALSO SEE: Nearly 6,000 Acres Of Nature Preserves Open On Sonoma Co. Coast

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