State guide

Emergencies in Oregon

Who runs emergency management in Oregon, how warnings reach you and which hazards to plan for. In short, with links to the official sources.

Emergency number911Text 911 also works in many areas. If it does not, you get a bounce-back message.
State emergency managementOregon Department of Emergency Management
Phone alertsWireless Emergency AlertsOn by default on most phones. Check that emergency and public safety alerts are switched on.
Weather warningsNational Weather ServiceType your ZIP code for local warnings.

How to get warned in Oregon

  1. Keep Wireless Emergency Alerts on. They reach every compatible phone in the affected area, for extreme weather, evacuations and AMBER alerts. No sign-up is needed.
  2. Sign up for your county or city alerts. Most counties in Oregon run their own opt-in text and email system, which sends more local messages than WEA (road closures, boil-water notices, shelter openings). Find yours through your county emergency management office or the state agency.
  3. Get a NOAA Weather Radio. It sounds an alarm for warnings in your county even at night and during power or cell outages. Pick a model with SAME coding so it only alerts for your area.
  4. Earthquake early warning. Oregon is covered by ShakeAlert, which can give a few seconds of warning before shaking arrives. Alerts come through WEA and Android phones; the MyShake app adds alerts for weaker shaking. ShakeAlert
  5. Know the difference: a watch means conditions are right for a hazard, so get ready; a warning means it is happening or about to, so act now.

Main hazards in Oregon

The basics for every home in Oregon

The 72-hour go bag How much water to store Power outages Evacuation checklist Your family emergency plan

Other states

Agency links checked in October 2026. Hazards listed are the main ones for the state as a whole; your county's hazard mitigation plan has the local picture. In an emergency, follow your local officials.