Sign up for alerts

Be informed before during and after an emergency. Sign up for or learn about ways to receive information from local authorities, agencies, and businesses.

Columbia Alert Network

A high-speed telephone dialing service used to notify citizens and businesses of important information. Notifications are delivered to targeted geographic areas by telephone call or electronic messages like text messaging or email. Sign up for Columbia Alert Network→

Public Alerts

A portal to the community notification system for Columbia, Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. Sign up to receive emergency voice and/or data messages on your cell phone, Voice-Over-IP (VOIP or internet-based) phone, email, or phone provided by a cable TV carrier. If you have a published landline phone, it will automatically be added to the system. Your information is safe and will only be used for emergency notifications. Sign up for Public Alerts→

FlashAlert Newswire

A system that gives you access to emergency messages, such as breaking news or weather closure information, from local agencies, schools, universities, businesses, and churches that subscribe to use the service. The service is free for message recipients, and you can customize how you receive your messages. Sign up for FlashAlert Newswire→

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

DHS send alerts through the National Terrorism Advisory System. Learn about current developments, general trends, and warnings of terrorism threats against the United States. Sign up for DHS Alerts→

Other ways to be informed

National Weather Service (NWS)

The NWS provides weather service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also purchase an NOAA Weather Radio, which can be customized to your county and the types of weather events that interest you. National Weather Service→

Local Radio and Television Stations

Local radio and television news stations report and help communicate important information during an emergency. When activated, messages from the Federal Communication Commission's Emergency Alert System (EAS) are transmitted to both TV and radio (an audible tone followed by voice instruction or scrolling text). The EAS is a national public warning system that requires broadcasters to provide communications capability during emergencies to local, state, and federal authorities. Learn about the Emergency Alert System→