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Step-by-step | How to set up severe weather alerts on your iPhone or Android

Severe weather can strike at any time day or night. Your cell phone weather alerts are crucial for you and your family to get out of harm's way.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — WHAS11 News wants to make sure you are ready and ahead of severe weather when it happens during the day, night or overnight. Being ready means getting your weather alerts in a timely manner right on your cell phone.

Here's a step-by-step guide to check your settings on iPhone and Android.

You’ll need to do two things to make sure your phone is ready to go. 

  • Download the WHAS11 News App, check weather notifications 
  • In addition, check your phone to make sure you receive government weather warnings and alerts

First download the WHAS11 App. Here are the options:

Apple iPhone users click here

Android Phone users click here

AFTER YOU DOWNLOAD THE APP

No matter whether you use an iPhone or Android, the process is the same.

STEP ONE: Open the WHAS11 App.

STEP TWO: Tap the gear in the top right corner.

STEP THREE: Tap “Notifications,” and find “Severe Weather Alerts.”

STEP FOUR: Make sure to turn on notifications, and you can pick how many alerts you get.

  • You can also change locations
  • If you want more, tap the option with statements and advisories.
  • If you want fewer, tap the option with warnings only.
Credit: WHAS11 News App
Weather alert and location settings

GOVERNMENT WEATHER ALERTS

On iPhone:

Go to Settings on your main phone screen, then Notifications, next scroll to the bottom and make sure "Government Alerts" is turned on.

It should look like this if they are all on.

Credit: WHAS11
Government alert settings for cell phones

When severe weather is near – your phone will vibrate and play an emergency tone based on your location.

On Android: 

You can also customize these settings usually by searching for ALERTS in the settings area on your phone. It may look a little different depending on which android-based phone you have.

But generally, search for alerts, emergency, or “cell broadcasting.” From there, you can choose which alerts you want on or off.

RELATED: Watch vs Warning | Understanding severe weather alerts

SHARE YOUR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Only when it is safe to do so, please share your storm and damage pictures and videos by texting: 502-582-7290. Make sure to include your name and location in your text. You can also email to: web@whas11.com 

Credit: WHAS11 News

RELATED: Weather Wise: Super Cell Thunderstorms

►Get the WHAS11 App

Apple iPhone users click here

Android Phone users click here

Get weather anytime by texting: 502-582-7290

Credit: WHAS11 News
Text the word WEATHER to: 502-582-7290 and get information from the WHAS11 First Alert Storm Team.

Follow the First Alert StormTeam on social media.

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Join our WHAS11 StormTeam Weather Spotters Facebook group.

Or, if you love weather photography, join our Kentucky/Indiana Cloud Watchers Facebook group.

Before You Leave, Check This Out