FEMA Alerts

FEMA Alerts- How to get

Text Messages

Our text message program can be used in two ways:

  • to receive regular safety tips for specific disaster types, and
  • to search for open shelters and open disaster recovery centers.

All FEMA text messages are sent from our dedicated number, which is 43362 (4FEMA).  Our text message program is not a substitute for 9-1-1. During an emergency, call your local fire/EMS/police or 9-1-1.

Safety Tips

Below is a list of all the disaster specific keywords you can sign up to receive bi-monthly safety tips for:

  • Hurricanes: text HURRICANE to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Home fires: text FIRE to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Wildfires: text WILDFIRE to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Tornadoes: text TORNADO to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Earthquakes: text EARTHQUAKE to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Winter storms and extreme cold: text WINTER to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Power outages: text BLACKOUT to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Floods: text FLOOD to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • General monthly safety tips: text PREPARE to 43362 (4FEMA)

Please Note:

  • If subscribing to more than one list, please send a separate text for each disaster type you would like to subscribe to. There is no limit to the number of lists you can subscribe to.
  • Sending STOP will automatically unsubscribe you from all our lists.  You can re-subscribe to the list(s) of your choice one-by-one.

Shelters

To search for open shelters: text SHELTER and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA)

For example, if you lived in Washington, DC you would text: SHELTER 20472

Before you go to a shelter, always check with your local emergency management agency for availability & services.  Searching for shelters will not add you to a list. Think of it like doing a search on the Internet.

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC)

To search for open Disaster Recovery Centers, text: DRC and a Zip Code to 43362 (4FEMA)

For example, if you lived in Washington, DC you would text: DRC 20472

Searching for Disaster Recovery Centers will not add you to a list. Think of it like doing a search on the Internet.

Smartphone App

You can also use the FEMA text message program to receive a link for the FEMA smartphone app for your specific mobile device. We’ll reply with a link back to your phone’s specific app store.

  • Apple devices: text APPLE to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Android devices: text ANDROID to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Blackberry devices: text BLACKBERRY to 43362 (4FEMA)

Other Basic Commands

  • Unsubscribe (at any time): text STOP to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • Get more information: text INFO to 43362 (4FEMA)
  • List of all keywords you can subscribe to: text LIST to 43362 (4FEMA)

Important Notes

  • For emergencies, call your local fire/EMS/police or 9-1-1.
  • FEMA’s text message number is 43362. If you receive a text message from another number and they say they are from FEMA, disregard it and report it to the authorities if you feel it is warranted.
  • FEMA will not solicit info, ask for personal information, or ask you to donate money to FEMA.
  • If you have any questions about the FEMA text message program, please don’t hesitate to email us:fema-new-media@dhs.gov
  • We will never charge you for text messages, but carrier message and data rates may apply.  Your carrier may collect additional data elements; please see their privacy policies for further details.
  • We will not use your phone number to track, reverse look up, or for any type of commercial marketing.