Alerts
Stay Informed. Stay Island Ready.
-First off, monitor our office’s Facebook page. Many updates will be posted there first.
-Sign up HERE for our “Island Alerts”, a tool which helps us spread the word in critical emergencies. This tool is rarely used and deployed only for life or death events.
-Local government has the ability to send text alerts to all cell phones in a given area (WEA). You do NOT need to sign up for this system. This system is only used in truly dire circumstances.
-The Emergency Alert System is a tool that allows government to send alerts to radio and TV stations. It also sends messages that can be picked up by EAS compatible weather radios. There are many phone apps that also receive and share these alerts.
(this external link will take you to AlertSense)
How It Works
Click the button above.
Create a free account with AlertSense.
Add your phone and email.
Choose your island and what alerts you want.
Thats it! No fees, no spam.
These alerts are provided free of charge, however standard text messaging rates and other charges from your provider may apply.
Types of alerts
When an official public safety message is issued, AlertSense sends it out by text, email, or phone depending on your setup:
Emergency incident alerts (e.g., evacuations, hazard warnings)
Time-sensitive updates like boil-water notices or shelter openings
Non-urgent notifications that still matter to island life, like road closures or ferry delays
Keep Preparing
Alerts tell you what’s happening. Being ready means knowing what to do next:
Island Risks
Disasters look different on the islands. Ferries stop running. Help may take days. These are the five scenarios most likely to affect us here. Each one has its own challenges—and its own game plan.
Learn what to expect and how to prepare.
Earthquakes &
Tsunamis
The islands sit near a major fault line. When the ground shakes, communications may go down and ferry service could be disrupted for weeks.
Winter Storms
High winds and heavy snow can knock out power, block roads, and isolate communities. Make sure your home—and your neighborhood—can ride it out.
Oil Spills
A spill in local waters could affect drinking water, beaches, wildlife, and air quality. Learn what to watch for and what to do if it happens.
Health Crisis
Pandemics, smoke events, and contaminated water supplies can all hit fast and spread wide. Know how to stay informed, reduce risk, and support each other.
Wildland Fires
Wildfire risk is growing every year. Evacuation routes are limited, and resources are spread thin. Preparation starts with your home—and your street.