The following information is provided by the National Weather Service, Kansas City Forecast Office.
The Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) system is designed to alert the public to imminent threats to life and safety. However, not all weather warnings activate this system.
The National Weather Service warnings activate WEA for only the most severe and life-threatening events. The table below outlines the specific criteria for Severe Thunderstorm, Tornado, and Flash Flood Warnings to trigger a WEA.
| Warning type | WEA Criteria | Details |
| Severe Thunderstorm Warning | A “Destructive” damage threat is expected. This requires:
| Base Severe Thunderstorm Warnings ( > 1-inch hail or > 58 mph winds) will not trigger a WEA. The alert is reserved for the most damaging tier of storms, which account for about 10% of all severe thunderstorms. |
| Tornado Warning | All Tornado Warnings issued by the National Weather Service. | All tornado warnings are considered a significant threat to life and property and will automatically trigger a WEA to alert those in the path of the storm. |
| Flash Flood Warning | A “Considerable” or “Catastrophic” damage threat is expected. This is typically reserved for life-threatening flash flood events, such as those caused by extremely heavy rainfall or dam breaks leading to a rapid and dangerous rise in water levels. | A base Flash Flood Warning will not trigger a WEA. |
No single alerting system is foolproof. Always have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.
Important: To receive these life-saving alerts, please ensure that government alerts are enabled on your mobile phone. While they are typically on by default, it is crucial to check your device’s notification settings to confirm.
