Effective alerts and warnings are those that result in members of the public taking recommended actions to protect themselves. To help ensure that messages are effective, they must be issued in a timely manner and should include the following components:

• Specific hazard: What hazard is threatening? What are the potential risks for the community? 
• Location: Where will the impacts occur? Describe the location so those without local knowledge can understand their risk.
• Timeframes: When will it arrive at various locations? How long will the impacts last?
• Warning source: Who is issuing the warning? Identify an official source with public credibility.
• Magnitude: What impact is expected, and how bad is it likely to get?
• Likelihood: How probable is occurrence of the impact?
• Protective behavior: What protective actions should people take and when? If evacuation is called for, where should people go and what should they take with them?

Warning Message Example:

" A dangerous wildfire is moving toward North Haverbrook and is expected to reach the north edge of town by 2 p.m. All persons remaining within the hazard area must evacuate now to a safe location to the west or east. A shelter is now open at Waverly Hills High School gym. Pets are permitted."