Coastal Storm: Keep Phone Alerts On & Protected

This guide shows you how to keep your phone working and receiving emergency alerts when a coastal storm hits. You’ll learn the exact settings to enable, how to physically protect the device from water and power loss, and what to do if alerts stop arriving. No prior technical knowledge is needed — just a few minutes before the storm arrives.

What You’ll Need

• Smartphone (iPhone or Android) with a charged battery
• Charging cable and a power bank (fully charged)
• Waterproof phone pouch or a zip-top plastic bag
• Silica gel packets (optional, for moisture absorption)
• A small dry bag or waterproof container
• Access to your phone’s settings menu

Step-by-Step

1. Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your phone. These are the official alerts sent by government agencies. On iPhone: go to Settings > Notifications > scroll to the bottom and toggle on Emergency Alerts, Public Safety Alerts, and Severe Alerts (if listed). On Android: open Settings > Safety & emergency (or Connections > More connection settings) > Wireless emergency alerts. Turn on Allow alerts, Extreme threats, Severe threats, and Public safety messages. Also enable Alert sound and Vibration.
2. Turn on Emergency Alert Test alerts (optional but recommended). Many phones have a separate toggle for test alerts. While not essential, enabling it lets you verify that your phone can receive the signal before the real storm. Look for Test alerts in the same menu and turn it on.
3. Update your emergency contacts and medical ID. On iPhone: open the Health app, tap your profile picture, then Medical ID. Add your name, birthdate, and emergency contacts, and set Show When Locked to on. On Android: go to Settings > Safety & emergency > Medical information and fill in the details. This helps first responders if you are injured.
4. Charge your phone to 100% and enable Low Power Mode. Plug in your phone and wait until it reaches full charge. Then turn on Low Power Mode (iPhone) or Battery Saver (Android) to extend battery life. This reduces background activity while keeping alerts active.
5. Download offline maps and critical documents. Before the storm knocks out cell service, open Google Maps (or Apple Maps) and download the map of your local area. Also save screenshots of your insurance policy, ID, and emergency plan to your phone’s photo library so they are accessible without internet.
6. Put your phone in a waterproof pouch. Place your phone inside a waterproof phone pouch or a zip-top plastic bag. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Add a silica gel packet inside the pouch to absorb any moisture that gets in. This protects against rain, flooding, and salt spray.
7. Store the phone in a dry bag or waterproof container. Even with a pouch, keep the phone in a larger dry bag or a hard waterproof case. This adds a second layer of protection against submersion. Keep the bag in a high, secure place if flooding is expected.
8. Keep the phone charged with a power bank. Plug your phone into a fully charged power bank. This ensures you have backup power if the mains electricity goes out. Do not wait until the phone is dead — plug it in when it reaches 50% to avoid a full discharge cycle.
9. Test your alert reception. After enabling everything, ask a friend to send you a regular text, or look for a test alert if one is scheduled. If you don’t receive it, check your network signal and try toggling Airplane Mode on and off to reconnect.
10. Keep the phone on and near you at all times. Do not switch it off to save battery. Emergency alerts work over the cellular broadcast system, which is separate from regular calls and texts, and they will sound even if your phone is on silent. Keep it within arm’s reach, especially at night.

Common Mistakes

• Turning off notifications entirely. Some people put their phone on Do Not Disturb or Airplane Mode to save battery, but this can block emergency alerts. Instead, use Low Power Mode and keep cellular data on.
• Relying on Wi-Fi. Emergency alerts are sent over the cellular network, not Wi-Fi. If you are only connected to Wi-Fi, you may miss alerts. Keep mobile data or at least the cellular signal active.
• Waiting until the storm hits. Once the storm arrives, you may lose power or signal, making it impossible to change settings. Do everything at least a day before.
• Using a regular plastic bag. A flimsy bag can tear and let water in. Use a proper waterproof pouch or a heavy-duty freezer bag.
• Ignoring the “test” alerts. If you disable test alerts, you won’t know if your phone can receive the real ones. Keep them on until the storm passes.

Tips

• Set up a charging routine. Charge your phone and power bank every evening during storm season, so you start each day with a full battery.
• Use a solar charger. If you have one, a solar power bank can provide indefinite backup power during extended outages.
• Keep a physical backup. Write down important phone numbers and your emergency plan on paper and store it in the dry bag. Phones can fail.
• Turn on auto-updates. Make sure your phone’s operating system is up to date before the storm, as updates can improve alert reliability.
• Use a lanyard. Attach a lanyard to your phone case or pouch so you can keep it around your neck and free your hands.

Troubleshooting

• Alerts are not appearing. First, check that you have a cellular signal. If you are in a remote area, move to a higher floor or near a window. Then verify that the alert toggles are on in your settings. If they are, restart your phone. If that fails, contact your carrier — some carriers block WEA messages unless you opt in.
• Phone gets wet despite the pouch. Immediately turn off the phone, remove the battery (if possible), and dry it with a soft cloth. Do not use a hairdryer or put it in rice — that can cause more damage. Place it in a sealed container with silica gel for 24-48 hours. Do not attempt to turn it on until it is completely dry.
• Battery drains too fast. Close background apps, reduce screen brightness, and turn off Bluetooth and location services (unless needed). If the battery still drains, enable Ultra Low Power Mode if available.
• Can’t hear the alert. Check that the volume is up and that the phone is not in Silent mode. Some phones have a separate “Emergency alert sound” setting — make sure that is enabled. If you have a smartwatch, it may also vibrate.
• Network is down. If there is no signal at all, you won’t receive alerts. In that case, rely on a battery-powered NOAA weather radio as a backup. Keep it in your dry bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will emergency alerts work if I have no cell service?
A: No. Wireless Emergency Alerts require a cellular signal. If the tower is down, you won’t get them. That’s why a weather radio is a good backup.

Q: Can I turn off alerts if they scare my children?
A: Yes, you can turn off the sound or the alerts entirely in your phone settings, but it’s safer to keep them on. Instead, explain to children that the alert is a warning to stay safe.

Q: Do alerts use my data plan?
A: No. Emergency alerts are broadcast over a special channel and do not count against your data or text limits.

Q: What if I have an older phone?
A: Most phones from the last decade support WEA. If yours doesn’t, check with your carrier for a compatible device or rely on a weather radio.

Q: Should I keep my phone on vibrate or silent?
A: Keep it on loud or at least vibrate. The alert sound is designed to be loud, but if you are in a noisy environment, vibration may not be enough. Set it to a ringtone you can hear.

Q: Can I use a regular zip-top bag for waterproofing?
A: Yes, in a pinch, but it’s not fully waterproof. Use a thick freezer bag and double-bag it. For complete protection, invest in a dedicated waterproof phone pouch.

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