Emergency Alerts

How to receive weather alerts

- Weather radio
- Local news media platforms
- Broadcast TV/radio
- NWS social media: National Weather Service - San Angelo/Abilene
- cosatx.us/Alerts
- AlertSense phone alerts (phone calls to landlines and cell phones, text messages to cell phones)
- City social media platforms: Facebook/Twitter
- IPAWS alerts (similar style to Amber Alerts) sent to designated affected areas

Emergency alerts (San Angelo Fire Department)

The emergency alert system is used to warn the public of impending emergencies due to a severe storm or a tornado sighting in the area. This system is operated by the San Angelo Fire Department. 

The criteria for sending alerts for severe weather remains the same: sustained winds (versus gusts) of at least 58 mph, hail at least 1 inch in diameter (the size of a quarter), and/or a tornado warning. Information about severe weather comes from the National Weather Service or a trained weather spotter in the field. The criteria were established by agreement of the Tom Green County judge and San Angelo’s mayor and city manager, per NOAA recommendations. 

The primary use is for severe weather but certain components of the system (AlertSense) can also alert citizens about an other imminent dangers. The warnings can also alert the public of instances that affect large numbers of citizens, such as a major water main break. 

The decision to issue an alert remains with the SAFD’s on-duty battalion chief, the police or fire chief, the assistant fire chief for operations, the emergency management coordinator, or the city manager.

Types of alerts

AlertSense: Alerts will be sent out over landlines using reverse 911. The caller ID will be from San Angelo and be from phone number 325-486-3799. Citizens can also subscribe to AlertSense. Whatever number you put down will receive alerts either by voice to your landline or text to your cell phone. Sign up for AlertSense to have alerts sent to your landlines or cells phones by visiting this link. If you have multiple phones at a residence or business and would like for certain phone numbers to be removed from the call list, please email emergencyalert@cosatx.us with a list of phone numbers that you would like to be removed.

Social media: Alerts will be posted to the City of San Angelo Facebook and Twitter pages. Please make sure you are following these pages.

Broadcast: Alerts will be broadcast on radio stations, television channels and weather radios.

Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS alerts): Are similar to Amber Alerts which are received on cell phones. When activated by the SAFD, alerts will be sent to every cell phone within the area designated – whether a neighborhood or the entire county. No registration is needed to receive the warnings. The IPAWS alerts are tested in a lab through the federal system.