Contra Costa County is urging Walnut Creek residents to sign up for free emergency alerts through the Community Warning System (CWS) as September marks National Preparedness Month.

The county posted the sign-up push on X on Monday, Sept. 14, directing residents to register online or by phone.

What CWS alerts do

The Community Warning System is the county's official emergency alert platform. It sends notifications when law enforcement, fire agencies or the County Health Officer determine that people in an affected area face an immediate threat to life or health, according to the CWS website.

Alerts can direct residents to shelter in place, prepare to evacuate, evacuate immediately, move to higher ground or stay away from a dangerous area.

The system is not used for advisory messages like traffic updates or planned utility work.

CWS delivers alerts by phone call, text message, email and social media. Outdoor sirens also sound for industrial facility emergencies, according to the Martinez Refining Company's CWS page. Those sirens are tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 11 a.m.

How to register

Registration is free and available in English and Spanish. Residents can sign up at CWSAlerts.com/registration or by calling (925) 655-0111.

When registering, residents can list up to two additional phone numbers for calls, two numbers for texts and two extra locations. Alerts go to all listed devices.

National Preparedness Month

The Federal Emergency Management Agency established National Preparedness Month in 2004. It runs every September. This year's theme is "Americans Stand Ready."

The next full siren test is Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 11 a.m.