FCC Adds New Warning Codes To The Emergency Alert System

The Federal Communications Commission updated its rules so that Americans can receive more specific – and potentially life-saving – warnings through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) before extreme weather strikes.

The amended rules add three new “event codes” that can be used to warn the public about the storm surges and extreme winds that may accompany hurricanes and other severe weather events. The FCC has now added three additional codes – to signify an “Extreme Wind Warning,” “Storm Surge Watch,” and “Storm Surge Warning” – so that communities can receive more specific and relevant alerts during hurricanes or other severe weather. The updated rules require EAS equipment manufacturers to integrate the codes into new equipment and will also enable EAS participants to update their existing equipment in advance of next year’s (2017) Atlantic hurricane season.


FCC Adds New Warning Codes To The Emergency Alert System