San Diego alert uptake: 9% of adults opted in ahead of El Niño

Fewer than 9% of adults in San Diego County have registered for Alert San Diego, according to county data reviewed this week. The system provides specific safety information during natural hazards, a gap that public officials say leaves many residents uninformed as the El Niño winter season approaches.

Approximately 235,000 users are currently signed up for the county’s emergency notifications. However, that figure includes individuals who registered using multiple phone numbers or addresses. The actual number of unique people receiving these alerts is lower than the total count suggests.

County spokesperson Chuck Westerheide stated that preparation involves receiving warnings before an emergency unfolds. “It’s a lot better to warn people … than wait till the police officer is knocking on your door telling you to get out. Then it’s too late,” Westerheide said.

The Alert San Diego system delivers messages to cellphones and email addresses. Users must actively opt in to receive these communications. The alerts cover a range of situations, including wildfires, flooding, severe storms, extreme heat, high winds, and active shooters. Messages provide instructions on evacuation routes, shelter locations, and whether to stay indoors or leave home.

Mary Fox, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, described early warning systems as highly effective adaptations to climate change. “An early warning system is one of the most effective adaptations to climate change that we have,” Fox said. She noted that these systems help save lives and property during extreme weather events.

Participation rates vary by location. Data shows higher sign-up rates in rural East County, where fire risks are prominent. Some areas in North County, including Rancho Santa Fe, Poway, and coastal neighborhoods, also show slightly higher participation. In contrast, many parts of South County and North County, including Oceanside, Vista, and Escondido, have participation rates below 10%.

Westerheide noted that flood evacuations are harder to organize than wildfire evacuations. Wildfire spread can be predicted based on wind and topography. Flooding is often harder to predict until it has already begun. Because of this uncertainty, officials are less likely to direct evacuations during floods compared to wildfires.

Residents who are not signed up for Alert San Diego can still receive wireless emergency alerts. These are sent automatically via cell towers to all mobile devices in an affected area. They are reserved for life-threatening events such as tsunamis, hurricanes, flash flooding, and AMBER alerts. These alerts are limited to 360 characters and must meet specific federal criteria for deployment.

The county system consolidates warnings from agencies like the National Weather Service and local law enforcement. Officials may use both the local Alert San Diego system and federal wireless emergency alerts during major events. Residents can sign up at alertsandiego.org or through the Alert San Diego app. The platform offers options for American Sign Language video messages and a Google Translate widget for non-English speakers.