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Why do we not receive Wireless Emergency Alerts?

Wondering why none of our 5 phones receive Wireless Emergency Alerts - none? This is 3 Samsungs and 2 Iphones and none of them receive alerts? The settings are turned on for all. I also have a T-Mobile Samsung and it just received a flash flood warning but none of our Verizon phones received anything? We are in a potential tornado watch area today and I rely on my Verizon phone across the country so this concerns me. I will say we have a Verizon network extender and am wondering if that is the cause?

Comments

RMADDAUS

At least comcast broadcast the tornado warning we now have - not one alert from Verizon. Pathetic.

RMADDAUS

And this time we lost Comcast internet and our network extender so we are connected directly to the Verizon cell tower and despite severe flooding warning by the National Weather Service, nothing emergency alert on our Verizon phones. I'm writing this using my T-Mobile phone as a hotspot.

Verizon_Support

As someone who has been through some severe weather myself recently, I know how important it is to receive emergency alerts. Those alerts are handled by FEMA and the FCC, and the only thing we can do is make sure your phone is set up to receive them.

Here's how to make sure the ZFold4 has the correct settings: https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-238778/

Also, you can learn more about emergency alerts here: https://www.verizon.com/support/wireless-emergency-alerts-faqs/

-Joseph

RMADDAUS

This impacts all of our Verizon phone in the household - 2 Zfold4s, 2 Iphone Xs, 1 Note9. None of them receive WEAs and they are all set up properly to receive them.

Verizon_Support

Thank you for getting back to us. Please see the FAQ's on this in the above link. These messages are not set by a carrier. They are sent by the government. You can learn more in the Faq's. -Joe

RMADDAUS

I don't think you understand - the gov't sends them out and Verizon is responsible for forwarding them on to the affected areas. In this case, Xfinity and our 2 T-Mobile phones broadcast tornado warnings - take shelter immediately. NOTHING from Verizon on any phone. Same thing happened to us last May in South Dakota where the state park tornado sirens went off, our T-mobile phones alerted us and we went into the storm shelter when a tornado DID touch down and do damage. NOTHING on our Verizon phones. If your network cannot support the basic WEA capabilities, you are risking the safety of your customers. This will get an FTC complaint and a PUC complaint.

Jeepbum71

We have three Samsung S24 Plus devices one Iphone, and Samsung S24 and none of them during the last series of storms (March 25' tornado oubreak) and NONE, not a single one of the WEA came through despite being in a tornado warning, flash flood, tornado watch, and thunderstorm warnings in the area. It is not specific to a cell tower because when we are 20 miles away, still no alerts. I've confirmed settings on all the phones and it is configured correctly. @vzw_customer_support
this is a dangerous situation and something needs to be done to address this.

Verizon_Support

Hello Jeepbum71. The Emergency Alerts are so important to keep us well informed and safe. Especially with tornadoes that are unpredictable and just the beginning of the season for severe storms. We are sending you a private message so we can check out why you did not receive during this last series of storms. This resource will also assist with troubleshooting: https://www.verizon.com/support/wireless-emergency-alerts-faqs/

-Deb

Calok25

I also receive no WEA in our Verizon devices, despite all settings being turned on to receive them. We get alerts via the the news and Alexa, or get texts from friends asking if we are getting in our shelters. This is a major safety issue and needs to be resolved.

Verizon_Support

Hello Calok25, We always want to be sure you are safe and getting all the alerts needed. We know how helpful the WEA alerts are and want to help troubleshoot your device to make sure you are getting those alerts. Sending over a Private Message to better assist you.

-Kristen

DisappointedUser1

I am in a hurricane/flood zone that has already been very active this season. Neither me nor my housemate have received any WEAs on our phones. If we hadn’t been running our tv in the background and heard the emergency alert system we never would have been able to get to safety. (And that time we actually needed it) Why, despite all my options being on, did I not get an WEA on my phone? I was driving and had luckily just walked in the house!

Verizon_Support

Great question. These alerts are sent by the National Weather Service and NOAA. Please make sure that Wireless Emergency Alerts are enabled on your device. More information can be found here: https://www.weather.gov/wrn/wea ~Peter

SynthpopAddict

I did a little searching on the internet elsewhere, and potential causes of not getting emergency alerts include:

poor cellular signal in area
being on WiFi (you will not receive wireless emergency alerts while on WiFi, because the alerts are being sent through your wireless carrier)
needing to update your software or carrier settings

I read elsewhere to try checking your alert settings on your phone and toggle on/off the different alert settings to refresh things. Also make sure "always play sound" is on for emergency alerts.

Jeepbum71

Well, I've patiently waited and quite honestly lost track of time as life happens. It's been 3 months of waiting for a new SIM card that supposedly was the issue but it has not yet arrived. SO now what?! I'm still without emergency alerts, even when I travel I don't get alerts for the area I am at. No Weather, Silver, Amber, nothing!

I need someone that has a clue to help sort this out.

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