Emergency Alert Information

When warnings are issued for major emergencies, relevant authorities may use the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS) prior to providing information on the emergency.

SEWS is a wailing siren sound used throughout Australia for serious emergency events such as severe cyclone, bushfire, flood and storm.

When you hear the signal on radio, television or over the phone via emergency alert messages, pay careful attention to the information that follows and act immediately on the advice given.

Emergency Alert is the national telephone warning system used by emergency services to send voice messages to landlines and text messages to mobile phones within a defined area about potential emergencies.

The calls and texts come from +61 444 444 444, so do not block this number. 

This number is not a scam and is an official number used by the Queensland State Disaster Coordination Centre as part of the national geo-targeting emergency alert system.

Visit www.emergencyalert.gov.au to learn more.

The Australian Warning System (AWS) is a national approach to warnings to ensure a consistent methodology is used when issuing warning messages across Australia.

The AWS is a three-level, scaled system of hazard icons and colours for each warning and calls to action. These include Advice, Watch and Act, and Emergency Warning. 

Visit www.disaster.qld.gov.au/watch-for-the-warnings to learn more.

Do not rely on receiving an emergency alert. Stay informed using multiple sources such as radio and emergency services websites, remain aware of local conditions, and act immediately if there is danger.