The Rice County Sheriff’s Office – Emergency Management Division is committed to keeping the public informed and safe during emergencies. Following a Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) sent on the night of Sept. 4, 2025, in response to an incident in Northfield, some residents expressed concern over the lack of location-specific information in the message.
We understand this caused confusion, and we want to explain how emergency alert systems work, why this occurred, and what actions are being taken to improve future communication.
What Are Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs)?
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are short, high-priority messages sent directly to mobile devices to notify the public of immediate threats to life and safety. When an alert is issued, authorized agencies send it through FEMA’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS). Wireless carriers then broadcast the alert to cell towers covering the designated geographic area. Any mobile phone connected to those towers will display the message with a distinct sound and vibration, even if the phone is silenced.
These alerts are issued by authorized agencies, including:
The National Weather Service (NWS)
FEMA
Local emergency management or public safety agencies.
WEAs are used for:
Tornado or severe weather warnings
Hazardous material events
AMBER Alerts
Evacuations or shelter-in-place orders
Other critical emergencies
How Do WEAs Work and Why Might You Get One Outside the Alert Area?
WEAs are geo-targeted based on a defined warning area or “polygon,” which is drawn by the alerting authority. However, mobile devices receive WEAs based on their proximity to cell towers serving the alert area.
This means:
You might receive an alert outside the polygon if your phone is connected to a tower within the alert zone.
WEAs may reach more people than necessary to ensure full coverage of the immediate danger zone.
While this system prioritizes life safety, it may occasionally result in people receiving alerts who are not directly impacted.
How to Make Sure You’re Receiving WEAs
To ensure you are set up to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts:
Enable Emergency Alerts in your phone settings (usually under Notifications or Safety & Emergency).
Keep your device updated with the latest software.
Allow location services, as newer phones use this to filter alerts more accurately.
Most modern smartphones are automatically WEA-enabled, but it’s worth checking your settings to confirm.
About the Sept. 4 Alert in Northfield
On the evening of Sept. 4, 2025, a WEA was issued by Rice & Steele 911 Center in coordination with the Northfield Police Department to notify the public of a localized hazard in Northfield. While the alert was sent out promptly, we acknowledge that the message did not include specific location information, which led to confusion.
This occurred due to a formatting issue during the rapid development of the message, and while the intent was to act swiftly to protect public safety, the lack of location details limited the effectiveness of the communication.
We take this seriously and are actively implementing improvements to ensure it does not happen again.
Steps We’re Taking to Improve Alerts
The following measures are being implemented by Rice County Emergency Management and Rice & Steele 911 Center:
Developing standardized WEA templates with built-in location prompts
Providing additional training to staff on message composition and system limitations
Conducting regular internal drills to test and improve emergency alert procedures
Reviewing all public alert protocols for speed and clarity
Get More Local Information with Everbridge Citizen Alerts
While WEAs are brief and broadly distributed, Everbridge Citizen Alerts offer more detailed and personalized notifications. These alerts can include:
Exact locations or addresses
Detailed instructions (e.g., shelter-in-place or evacuation routes)
Follow-up updates and guidance
Everbridge alerts are used in Rice County for:
Local law enforcement activity
Hazardous material incidents
Severe weather
Road closures and utility disruptions
Public health notifications
Winter parking restriction notifications
You must opt in to receive Everbridge alerts. Sign up today at:
https://www.ricecountymn.gov/580/Emergency-alerts
You can choose how you want to be contacted (text, phone, email) and register multiple locations—such as your home, workplace, or school—for personalized alerts.
Stay Informed. Stay Safe.
The Rice County Sheriff’s Office – Emergency Management Division, along with our partners at Rice & Steele 911 Center and local police departments, are dedicated to keeping our residents informed during emergencies.
We encourage everyone to:
Check your phone settings to ensure you are receiving WEAs
Sign up for Everbridge alerts to get detailed local information
Follow official county and public safety channels for reliable updates
For questions or assistance, contact Rice County Emergency Management at 507-332-6119.
