Civil danger warning
Type of emergency alert issued in the United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Other examples
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. $$
On 26 May 2019, storms part of a major tornado outbreak flooded the Arkansas River to record high levels. On 27 May 2019, the Arkansas Emergency Management Agency issued a Civil Danger Warning alerting residents of the closure of McLean Bottom, a levee in Logan County, and its surrounding roads due to forecasted additional flooding.[4]
597 WOUS44 KLZK 272046 CDWLZK ARC083-280000- URGENT - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED CIVIL DANGER WARNING ARKANSAS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS RELAYED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LITTLE ROCK AR 346 PM CDT MON MAY 27 2019 MCLEAN BOTTOMS IN LOGAN COUNTY IS CLOSED OFF TO ALL PUBLIC ACCESS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. THIS INCLUDES PORTIONS OF NORTH HIGHWAY 309, COTTONTOWN RD., AND KALAMAZOO ROAD. THIS IS BY ORDER OF THE LOGAN COUNTY JUDGE, NO PERSONS ARE ALLOWED IN THIS AREA DUE TO FORECAST FLOODING. DRIVING INTO THIS AREA MAY PUT YOUR LIFE IN DANGER! $$ 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. $$ AS-NE-872DB331-ABDF-4F99-84C5-4E69A19C1C46/ALERTSENSE
On 1 February 2022, a Civil Danger Warning was mistakenly sent out for Peoria, Illinois[8], for a parking ban in preparation for an upcoming winter storm. The alert was meant to be sent out as a Civil Emergency Message.
395 WOUS43 KILX 012242 CDWILX ILC143-020442- BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED Civil Danger Warning IL Peoria County Relayed by National Weather Service Lincoln IL 442 PM CST Tue Feb 1 2022 ...Civil Danger Warning... The following message is transmitted at the request of Peoria County. This message is being issued for residents of the City of Peoria. A city-wide parking ban is in effect from 6pm February 1st through 6pm February 3. Residents must move their vehicles from all City streets to allow for plows and emergency vehicles. Alternative parking locations include the south parking lot of Northwoods Mall... 2200 West War Memorial Drive... Twin Towers Parking Garage... 123 South West Jefferson St... Niagara Parking Garage... 109 West Adams Street... and the Jefferson Parking Garage... 236 South West Jefferson Street. Parking is free in these locations until 8 am on Saturday February 5. Do not park in the alleys. Any cars left on the streets are subject to towing and tickets. During this snow event... residents are asked to stay home for their safety and to let snowplow drivers and emergency vehicles work. REPEAT- A City-Wide parking ban is in effect for the City of Peoria starting at 6pm this evening. For more information... call 494 CARE Monday-Friday from 8 to 6 and Saturday from 9 to 1... $$ OnSolve-9922de8b3a1240c28d82d3f20c64f014/IL Peoria County
On 8 December 2025, the Rice County Sherriff's Office in Minnesota issued a phone outage alert for Rice/Steele County law enforcement agencies. However, this alert was not issued as a 911 Telephone Outage Emergency, and it was instead issued as a Civil Danger Warning.
309
WOUS43 KMPX 082301
CDWMPX
MNC131-147-090301-
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Civil Danger Warning
MN Rice County Sheriffs Office
Relayed by National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
501 PM CST Mon Dec 8 2025
...PHONE OUTAGE...
The following message is transmitted at the request of RICE/STEELE
911 CENTER.
Phone outage affecting Rice County Law Enforcement Agencies. If
needed... dial 911.
&&
LAT...LON 4456 9327 4454 9302 4438 9303 4418 9304
4417 9304 4417 9306 4417 9317 4419 9324
4418 9327 4419 9343 4420 9358 4444 9360
4457 9353
$$
2295438292145148/RICE/STEELE 911 CENTER
On 15 March 2026, a Civil Danger Warning was issued by Rice County Sherriff's Office in Minnesota to encourage residents to stay off roads after a blizzard struck the area.
113
WOUS43 KMPX 151314
CDWMPX
MNC131-147-151714-
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Civil Danger Warning
MN Rice County Sheriffs Office
Relayed by National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
814 AM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026
...STAY OFF ROADS...
The following message is transmitted at the request of RICE/STEELE
911 CENTER.
Steele County: Non-essential personnel please STAY OFF ROADS to
ensure your safety. Current road conditions pose significant risks
to drivers and pedestrians. Crews are at work restoring roads to
safe conditions.
&&
LAT...LON 4421 9327 4420 9296 4384 9295 4384 9301
4383 9301 4380 9325 4381 9337 4391 9341
4398 9342 4410 9340 4420 9340 4421 9339
$$
2415869175064583/RICE/STEELE 911 CENTER
