NORTHBAMAWX ← Live radar & alerts

How to Get Weather Alerts

Tornado warnings often come in the middle of the night. Set up at least two of these free ways to get warned, so one failing doesn't leave you in the dark.

1. Phone emergency alerts

Your phone can get tornado and flash flood warnings from the government for wherever you are, even without any app. Make sure they're turned on.

iPhone

  1. Open Settings and tap Notifications.
  2. Scroll all the way to the bottom to Government Alerts.
  3. Turn on Emergency Alerts and Public Safety Alerts. Leave Always Deliver on so alerts sound even when your phone is silenced or on Do Not Disturb.

Android

  1. Open Settings and search for emergency alerts. On most phones it's under Safety & emergency → Wireless emergency alerts.
  2. Turn on Allow alerts, Extreme threats and Severe threats.
  3. Make sure alert sounds and vibration are on.
Good to know

Phone emergency alerts only go out for the most dangerous warnings, like tornado and flash flood warnings. They don't include severe thunderstorm warnings or watches.

2. NorthBamaWX push alerts (free)

Get every tornado, severe thunderstorm and flash flood warning and watch for our 15 counties the moment it's issued. No account and no ads.

  1. Install the free ntfy app: iPhone or Android.
  2. Tap + to subscribe to a topic and type northbamawx-alerts
  3. Tap Subscribe. Allow notifications when your phone asks.

On a computer you can open the alerts in your browser.

3. NOAA Weather Radio

A weather radio is the most reliable way to be woken up for a warning at night. It works when the power and cell service are out if it has batteries.

  1. Buy a radio labeled NOAA Weather Radio with SAME alerting and a battery backup. They're sold at most hardware and big-box stores.
  2. Look up your county's station and county code in our weather radio list.
  3. Program your county code, then keep it plugged in near where you sleep. It tests itself every Wednesday morning.

4. The NorthBamaWX live stream

Our 24/7 stream switches to the storm, maps the warning and reads it out loud the moment it's issued for our counties.

Don't rely on sirens

Outdoor sirens are meant to warn people outside. You may not hear them indoors, especially during a storm or while you sleep.