Frequently Asked Questions - WeatherCall

How often will I be called?

A subscriber will be called whenever the NWS issues a tornado warning that includes that registered street address. If the option is selected, we will also call for severe thunderstorm warnings. Warning calls could be made any time of the day or night.

What phone number will show up on Caller ID?

All alerts come from phone number (866)-479-9906. In most cases, this number will appear on the Caller ID. In rare cases "Out of Area" or another message may appear. The best way to determine how the Caller ID will display on your phone is to send yourself a test phone call using the option in your account. You should store this incoming number and name it WeatherCall so that you know it is a weather alert from our service.

What if a phone is busy?

If a phone is busy, the system will call again one minute later. The system will make three(3) attempts to reach each number.

What if a phone is not answered?

If a phone is not answered, the system will call again one minute later. The system will make three(3) attempts to reach each number. If there is a voice messaging system, a message will be left. The message starts playing as soon as the system detects that the phone has been answered, if you have a long outgoing message our message could be cut off.

Frequently Asked Questions - HazardCall

My local government already has "this". Why do I need HazardCall?

Extreme Hazards Are When Seconds Count.

HazardCall is the ONLY service in existence that dedicates 100% of our outbound calling resources to the very 'short-fused weather events when seconds literally count. The system your local government uses processes ANY type of “robo” calls. Frequently tornado warnings with an extreme sense of urgency have to “wait in line” to be processed causing late delivery which can be deadly.
HazardCall is not for your entire county, but for your specific community
When new “extreme” weather tags are embedded into National Weather Service (NWS) warnings, HazardCall is delivering these as separate, extra-urgent messages. Your local government system does not.
If you are currently signed up for your county or city's weather alerts, we suggest you opt out to avoid confusion. They are not as timely, accurate, nor provide the same options for all types of weather threats offered by HazardCall.

I already have a 'Free-App'. Why do I need HazardCall?

HazardCall is not free but is provided as a service from your community management team. If something is free, you get exactly what you paid for when dangerous weather is approaching.

Most FREE app's warnings are usually for your entire county or even larger region, not for your specific community, and deliver a lot of false alarms.
Push notifications are frequent, common and often left for “later” to view. You might not see it until it’s too late.
HazardCall will actually make your phone ring with important safety information when your life is in danger. There is NO APP that will do that for you

I am already getting 'weather alerts' from the government. How is HazardCall better?

"Wireless Emergency Alerts", or WEA, as they are called, are meant to be a 'bell-ringer' for a large area, not a location-specific alert. The message is telling you to seek “CHECK MEDIA” which always takes precious time.

HazardCall IS YOUR VERIFICATION. When you get a HazardCall notification, you have all the detail you need in the palm of your hand or in the phone message you may receive to stop wasting time and act immediately

How often will you call me? Am I going to be bothered when I don't need to be?

We will only make your phone ring when the National Weather Service decides your life is in danger. All other alerts will arrive via text message and/or email alone. If you are asleep, and a tornado is bearing down on you, you NEED to be awakened by a phone call.

What if I don't have a Smart Phone or even a cell phone?

HazardCall is designed to work with any type of phone. When you were added to the service by the office, the phone number in your record was added. Those with abilities to receive a text message will receive text messages, and those with email addresses will also receive emails. But if all you have is a landline phone, you will still receive phone calls for life threatening notifications.

What does "Best Available Shelter" mean?

Let us start with this simple premise. If a strong to violent EF3-EF5 tornado is bearing down on you, there are no assurances of safety or survivability unless you are below ground or in a concrete-and-steel-reinforced building designed for tornadic winds. This would be considered the "Best Possible Shelter". This includes all manufactured as well as stick-built homes. Your safety is only assured by you getting out of the wind and debris path. We also know that there is no way to know a tornado's strength when a warning is issued. We suggest you treat sheltering for every tornado warning the same.

In reality, most people do not have access to "Best Possible Shelter", but the best of what is available. When you feel threatened by dangerous weather, while there are historic rules of 'do's and don'ts', many may not apply to your specific situation. For some, sheltering in your existing manufactured home may be the best option you have at the time. For others who do not feel safe there, it may be in a large vehicle outside, and for others, it could be to get in your vehicle and drive away from the threat. Some communities in some states in the US have designated community shelters established such as schools or fire stations, while most have none.

Only YOU can decide what is the safest for you, but this is not something to suddenly decide during an emergency. Plan ahead as to what your best options are so you know WHERE to go. HazardCall will let you know WHEN to go.