Sign up — takes 2 minutes
Step 1 of 4How it works
After you sign upVerify your contact info
We send a confirmation code by text and email. Reply or click to confirm — this is what keeps the system free of spam.
Get matched to your area
Your address is mapped to flood zones, neighborhoods, and notification radii so we only send alerts that affect you.
Receive alerts when they happen
Critical alerts arrive within 60 seconds. Each alert includes what's happening, what to do, and a link for full details.
Manage anytime
Update channels, languages, or categories from the dashboard. Pause notifications while traveling. Unsubscribe in one click.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
How many alerts will I get?
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Most subscribers receive 4–10 alerts per year for life-safety and weather events, plus a brief monthly test message. If you also opt into civic and service categories, you might see one or two additional alerts per month. We work hard not to overuse the system — when an alert arrives, it matters.
Does this cost anything?
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AlertAnnapolis is free, funded by the city. Standard messaging rates from your carrier may apply if you choose SMS, but most modern plans include unlimited texts.
Will my phone number or email be shared?
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No. Your contact information is used only to send alerts and is never shared with third parties, never sold, and never used for marketing. It's protected as a public safety record under Maryland law.
Is this different from federal Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)?
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Yes. WEA alerts (the ones that override your silent mode) are sent by federal authorities for the most extreme threats — Amber Alerts, presidential alerts, and immediate dangers. AlertAnnapolis covers the local situations that don't rise to the federal threshold but still affect your daily life: nuisance flooding, water main breaks, road closures, missing person reports. They complement each other.
Can I sign up multiple addresses or family members?
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Yes. After signing up, you can add additional addresses (e.g. a parent's home, a vacation rental) under your account. You can also sign up additional people separately — encourage everyone in your household to enroll with their own contact info.
I don't speak English well — can I still sign up?
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Absolutely. AlertAnnapolis supports English, Spanish, French, and Korean. The signup form itself can be switched to any of these languages using the language selector at the top of every page. If you need help signing up in another language, call the Office of Emergency Management at 410-263-7975 — they have translators available.
What if I don't have a smartphone?
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No smartphone is needed. AlertAnnapolis works on any phone that receives text messages (SMS) and any phone that can receive voice calls. If you only have a landline, choose the "Phone call" channel — we'll deliver a recorded message. You don't need email or a smartphone to use the system.