A Civil Danger Warning (SAME code: CDW) is a warning issued through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) in the United States to warn the public of an event that presents danger to a significant civilian population. It is typically issued by a local or state authority and is relayed by the National Weather Service in select areas. The warning usually mentions a specific hazard such as contaminated water supply, active shooting, unexpected weather events that lead to deteriorated road conditions, a major accident, or an imminent or in-progress military or terrorist attack. It may also provide instructions for protective action such as to evacuate, shelter-in-place, boil water or seek medical treatment. The warning has a higher priority than a local area emergency (LAE) and a civil emergency message (CEM); however, the CDW and a Local Area Emergency are often in effect for specific areas.
Examples
Hawaii false missile alert
On January 13, 2018, as part of the false missile alert, a false Civil Danger Warning interrupted local television and radio broadcasts throughout Hawaii, in addition to the warning sent to smartphones.[1]
BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
Other examples
Guam False civil danger warning
On August 15, 2017, 2 radio stations, a music channel, and a Christian network in Guam aired a false civil danger warning, which sent sent many people into a panic, especially since tensions with North Korea at the time were heightened.
List of civil danger warnings issued
A blizzard on February 2, 2011, affected much of the United States and Canada, forecasted to bring several feet of snow to Wisconsin and severely impact travel. The Wisconsin Emergency Management Agency of Milwaukee issued the following civil danger warning for the southern part of the state:[2][3]
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED CIVIL DANGER WARNING WISCONSIN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN WI 1233 AM CST WED FEB 2 2011 THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE WISCONSIN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY MILWAUKEE/SULLIVAN WISCONSIN. DRIVING IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS TONIGHT ON ALL ROADS IN SOUTHERN WISCONSIN. IF YOU BECOME STRANDED...EMERGENCY VEHICLES MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REACH YOU. IF YOU ARE STRANDED...DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE. RUN YOUR VEHICLE 10 MINUTES PER HOUR...AND CRACK A DOWN WIND WINDOW FOR VENTILATION. $$
On 26 May 2019, storms part of a major tornado outbreak flooded the Arkansas River to record high levels. On 27 May 2019, the Arkansas Emergency Management Agency issued a Civil Danger Warning alerting residents of the closure of McLean Bottom, a levee in Logan County, and its surrounding roads due to forecasted additional flooding.[4]
597 WOUS44 KLZK 272046 CDWLZK ARC083-280000- URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED CIVIL DANGER WARNING ARKANSAS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR 346 PM CDT MON MAY 27 2019 THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE LOGAN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND THE LOGAN COUNTY JUDGE. MCLEAN BOTTOMS IN LOGAN COUNTY IS CLOSED OFF TO ALL PUBLIC ACCESS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. THIS INCLUDES PORTIONS OF NORTH HIGHWAY 309, COTTONTOWN RD., AND KALAMAZOO ROAD. THIS IS BY ORDER OF THE LOGAN COUNTY JUDGE, NO PERSONS ARE ALLOWED IN THIS AREA DUE TO FORECAST FLOODING. DRIVING INTO THIS AREA MAY PUT YOUR LIFE IN DANGER! $$ CAVANAUGH
On 10 August 2021, Adams County Emergency Management in Nebraska issued a shelter in place warning (as a CDW) for an active shooter in Juniata.[5][6][7]
166 WOUS43 KGID 110452 CDWGID NEC001-110552- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED CIVIL DANGER WARNING NE ADAMS COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HASTINGS NE 1152 PM CDT TUE AUG 10 2021 ...ACTIVE SHOOTER IN PROGRESS... THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE IS TRANSMITTED AT THE REQUEST OF ADAMS COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THERE IS AN ACTIVE SHOOTER CURRENTLY IN JUNIATA NE AROUND THE N. BRASS AREA. SHELTER IN PLACE IMMEDIATELY. SHELTER IN PLACE IMMEDIATELY AND LOCK ALL WINDOWS AND DOORS. THIS IS FOR THE JUNIATA AREA AND 2 MILES EAST OF JUNIATA NEBRASKA. $$ AS-NE-872DB331-ABDF-4F99-84C5-4E69A19C1C46/ALERTSENSE
On 1 February 2022, a Civil Danger Warning was mistakenly sent out for Peoria County, Illinois for a city-wide parking ban in advance of a winter storm. [8] The original alert was intended to be sent out as a Civil Emergency Message. [9]
395 WOUS43 KILX 012242 CDWILX ILC143-020442- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED Civil Danger Warning IL Peoria County Relayed by National Weather Service Lincoln IL 442 PM CST Tue Feb 1 2022 ...Civil Danger Warning... The following message is transmitted at the request of Peoria County. ...This message is being issued for residents of the City of Peoria. A city-wide parking ban is in effect from 6pm February 1st through 6pm February 3. Residents must move their vehicles from all City streets to allow for plows and emergency vehicles. Alternative parking locations include the south parking lot of Northwoods Mall... 2200 West War Memorial Drive... Twin Towers Parking Garage... 123 South West Jefferson St... Niagara Parking Garage... 109 West Adams Street... and the Jefferson Parking Garage... 236 South West Jefferson Street. Parking is free in these locations until 8 am on Saturday February 5. Do not park in the alleys. Any cars left on the streets are subject to towing and tickets. During this snow event... residents are asked to stay home for their safety and to let snowplow drivers and emergency vehicles work. REPEAT- A City-Wide parking ban is in effect for the City of Peoria starting at 6pm this evening. For more information... call 494 CARE Monday-Friday from 8 to 6 and Saturday from 9 to 1... $$ OnSolve-9922de8b3a1240c28d82d3f20c64f014/IL Peoria County
On 15 March 2026, the Rice County Sherriff’s Office in Rice County, Minnesota issued a civil danger warning that discouraged travel on roads due to a blizzard that impacted the area, making road conditions unsafe for motorists. [10]
[11]
113
WOUS43 KMPX 151314
CDWMPX
MNC131-147-151714-
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Civil Danger Warning
MN Rice County Sheriffs Office
Relayed by National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
814 AM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...STAY OFF ROADS...
The following message is transmitted at the request of RICE/STEELE
911 CENTER.
Steele County: Non-essential personnel please STAY OFF ROADS to
ensure your safety. Current road conditions pose significant risks
to drivers and pedestrians. Crews are at work restoring roads to
safe conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4421 9327 4420 9296 4384 9295 4384 9301
4383 9301 4380 9325 4381 9337 4391 9341
4398 9342 4410 9340 4420 9340 4421 9339
$$
2415869175064583/RICE/STEELE 911 CENTER
References
- ^ WTVD (2018-01-13). “See the warning Hawaiians saw on TV during missile scare”. ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. Retrieved 2021-02-20.
- ^ “Civil Danger Warning issued”. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Online. February 2, 2011. Retrieved February 5, 2011.
- ^ “Civil Danger Warning”. YouTube. February 1, 2011.
- ^ “Civil Danger Warning on May 27, 2019”. Iowa Environmental Mesonet. May 27, 2019.
- ^ “Civil Danger Warning on Aug 10, 2021”. Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Aug 10, 2021.
- ^ “Man killed in standoff after shooting trooper in Juniata”. KHGI. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ “Grand jury finds no criminal conduct in 2021 officer-involved shooting”. KFXL. 2022-04-15. Retrieved 2025-11-19.
- ^ “National Weather Service Text Product”. Iowa Environmental Mesonet. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2026-06-12.
- ^ “Why you received a ‘civil danger warning’ on your cellphone for a Peoria parking ban”. Journal Star. 2022-02-03. Retrieved 2026-06-12.
- ^ “Civil Danger Warning on March 15, 2026”. Iowa Environmental Mesonet. 2026-03-15. Retrieved 2026-06-12.
- ^ “‘Civil Danger Warning’ issued in Steele County amid blizzard”. Bring Me The News. 2026-03-15. Retrieved 2026-06-12.
External links
This article incorporates public domain material from Non-Weather Related Emergency Message Description Guidelines (PDF). United States government.