Stay Informed, Stay Safe: Elkins Urges Residents to Sign Up for WENS Emergency Text Alerts

In the wake of recent flooding across West Virginia, we emphasize the critical role of instant communication for public safety.

The City of Elkins is making a direct appeal to all residents: Sign up for the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS). This vital service delivers urgent text messages directly to your mobile phone, providing instant updates on emergencies, road closures, critical utility outages, and additional information important to Elkins residents.

Fast, immediate communication

The importance of immediate communication starkly came into focus earlier this year by the floods that devastated communities across West Virginia. During such fast-moving events, every second counts. WENS serves as a digital lifeline, allowing Elkins officials to bypass traditional media and deliver potentially life-saving instructions straight to the people who need them most.

“When an emergency happens, our number one priority is communicating with our residents quickly and clearly,” said Mayor Jerry Marco. “We can’t control the weather, but we can control how prepared we are. Having your direct contact information in our WENS system is one of the most important steps we can take together to keep everyone safe. It is our most reliable tool to tell you about boil-water notices, evacuation orders, shelter locations, and other critical updates the moment we have them.”

The WENS system is designed for speed and efficiency. Unlike social media, which not everyone uses and whose algorithms may not show urgent posts, a WENS text alert is guaranteed to reach your phone, whether it’s the latest smartphone or an older model like a flip phone. WENS will quickly cut through the noise and provide official, accurate information from the source, helping to combat any misinformation during a crisis.

Signing up is a simple, free, and secure process that takes less than a minute. All you need is a mobile phone capable of receiving text messages.

“We know that many people think, ‘It won’t happen to me,’ or ‘I’ll hear about it from a neighbor,’” added Mayor Marco. “But during the flooding, we saw how quickly situations can change. We don’t want anyone to be left in the dark, even if you only have a landline. We urge every single resident and business owner to take a moment and sign up. It’s a small action that could make a world of difference for your family.”

Protect your family and stay connected to your community. Sign up for Elkins’ WENS alert system today at https://cityofelkinswv.gov/alerts/.

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