Staying informed: official alerts and apps

In an emergency, the right message at the right moment can tell you to stay inside, avoid a road or head to safety. Make sure official alerts can reach your phone, know what they sound like, and learn to ignore rumours.

The UAE early warning system

• The UAE uses cell broadcast to send alerts to every phone in an affected area, whether the SIM belongs to a resident or a visitor (Gulf News, 2026).
• Only government bodies involved in emergencies can send them: NCEMA, the Ministry of Interior, the police of the seven emirates and the Ministry of Health and Prevention (u.ae; Gulf News).
• Alerts appear without you doing anything, cannot be replied to or forwarded, and stay on screen until you dismiss them (The National, August 2026).
• Since March 2026, the tone depends on the time: a high tone from 9am to 10:30pm, and a standard message tone from 10:30pm to 9am (Gulf News; The National).
• Alerts are location-based, so not everyone in the UAE gets every alert. NCEMA says not receiving one does not mean the system has failed (Gulf News).

What to do when a UAE alert tells you to shelter

• Outdoors: go into the nearest building and stay away from open spaces, outside walls and glass (The National, reporting official guidance).
• At home: move away from balconies and windows to the central part of the building, and avoid lifts unless told otherwise (The National).
• Driving: keep driving carefully to the nearest indoor place; do not stop in a way that blocks traffic or emergency routes (The National).
• Stay sheltered until the official follow-up message says it is safe (The National).
• For weather alerts, follow the instructions, such as staying away from valleys, beaches and flood-prone areas (Gulf News).

UK Emergency Alerts

• The UK sends Emergency Alerts when there is a danger to life nearby, such as severe flooding, wildfires or extreme storms (GOV.UK).
• Your phone may make a loud siren-like sound for about 10 seconds, even on silent (GOV.UK).
• You do not need mobile data or wifi, but you must be on a 4G or 5G network; phones on 2G or 3G, wifi-only devices and phones that are off will not get alerts (GOV.UK).
• Compatible phones include iPhones on iOS 14.5 or later and Android 11 or later (GOV.UK).
• If you are driving, do not read it: stop somewhere safe and legal first, or listen to live radio (GOV.UK).
• The service never emails you or asks for personal details; check genuine alerts on GOV.UK's current alerts page (GOV.UK).

Other official warnings worth signing up for

• UAE: follow the National Centre of Meteorology and your emirate's police and civil defence on their official channels.
• UK: Met Office weather warnings, free flood warnings for at-risk addresses, and air quality alerts (UK Government, Prepare).
• Your university's emergency messages: make sure your phone number and email on the student system are correct.
• Elsewhere: search for the national emergency alert system of the country you move to, and check your phone's emergency alert settings on arrival.

Rumours, filming and misinformation

• Rely on official sources rather than unverified news or social media posts (The National, reporting UAE authority advice).
• Do not forward unverified voice notes or screenshots to family groups; check the official source first.
• Do not go outside to watch events, and do not film emergency operations or sensitive sites. The National reports that UAE authorities say filming these, or posting footage of interceptions or debris, is an offence.
• Do not use your phone or film while driving in bad weather (Gulf News, March 2026).