The City of Norfolk Nebraska has created an Emergency Alert Messaging System.  This system will send text messages of emergency alerts to cell phones of subscribers to the system.  Below are instructions for subscribing and unsubscribing to the Emergency Alert System.  The City of Norfolk will use this system only for emergency messages such as a snow emergency, storm related weather emergency, or other type of emergency situation.  The intent is to limit the text messages a subscriber receives to the minimum necessary to be aware of emergency situations.

To subscribe to the Norfolk Emergency Alert Messaging System:

From any phone capable of sending and receiving text messages, send a text message containing the two words follow norfolkalerts (with a space between) to the phone number 40404.  (It may seem odd to send a text message to the phone number 40404 instead of to a phone number like 4025551212, but that is the correct way to sign up for receiving emergency alert messages.)

Within a few minutes after you send the text message as described above, you should get a confirmation messages that says “You’re now following @norfolkalerts”.  This message confirms that you are signed up to receive the Norfolk emergency alert messages.  You may receive one or two additional informational messages at sign up time which you can ignore.  You will also receive the last emergency message the City has posted.

To unsubscribe from the Norfolk Emergency Alert Messaging System:

Send a text message containing the two words unfollow norfolkalerts (with a space between) to the phone number 40404.  Within a few minutes after you send the text message, you should get a confirmation message that says “You are no longer following @norfolkalerts”.  This message confirms that you have unsubscribed to Norfolk emergency alert messages.

Notes:

There is no charge to receive emergency alert messages from the City of Norfolk, however normal text messaging charges from your wireless phone carrier may apply.

Messages delivered through the Norfolk Emergency Alert Messaging System are intended to be a best effort communication and are just one component of many methods of emergency communications.  Citizens are also encouraged to listen to radio and television to be aware of emergency situations.  Text messages may be delayed or not received during regional emergencies, periods of high messaging traffic, or due to technical problems.