Sonoma, Napa Counties To Test Alert, Warning System

SONOMA VALLEY, CA— The counties of Sonoma and Napa, along with local law enforcement and fire agencies will conduct a targeted emergency alert and warning test next week.

During the exercise planned for Thursday, March 27, the counties will conduct a test of the Wireless Emergency Alert —WEA— for the evacuation zone of SON-6F4 in Sonoma Valley, near the Sonoma-Napa county line.

Starting at 10:45 a.m., both counties will send out Wireless Emergency Alert messages to residents in the evacuation zone SON-6F4, which has a population of roughly 400. Some people living in this zone may receive two alerts. Residents can look up their zone using the Know Your Zone tool or by calling 211 for assistance over the phone.

The WEA is a federal alert system that broadcasts a text message with a notification sound —much like an Amber Alert — to a targeted geographical area. Residents living in the designated zone and anyone visiting the area will receive the message. There is no sign-up required. Residents of the zone are asked to turn on their cell phone volume. If a phone is on airplane mode or "do not disturb," it may prevent that person from hearing an alert.

If an extreme weather event is forecast, the test alert and warning exercise will be canceled.