SoCoAlert and flood warnings: how to get Sonoma County storm alerts
When the river is rising or a creek is about to overtop, minutes matter. Sonoma County uses several warning systems, and some only work if you sign up first.
SoCoAlert
SoCoAlert is the County's free emergency notification system. The County says it's used for evacuation notifications, shelter-in-place orders, boil-water advisories, tsunami warnings and flood warnings, and that it won't send non-emergency messages (SoCoEmergency).
- Sign up at the SoCoAlert portal. You need at least one phone number and at least one Sonoma County address, and you can add up to five addresses, such as home, work and a child's school.
- Prefer the phone? Call (707) 565-1369 to register with the Department of Emergency Management.
- Have every adult in the household sign up, and add an alternate phone. A landline may not ring during a power outage.
NOAA Weather Radio
The County recommends NOAA Weather Radio as a backup. Its listed frequencies are 162.475 for the County of Sonoma and Southwest Sonoma County, and 162.550 for Northwest Sonoma County (SoCoEmergency).
River forecasts and hotlines
- CNRFC river forecasts for Guerneville and Healdsburg.
- Sonoma Water's flood information page and Flood Forecast Hotline, (707) 526-4768, updated when the Hacienda Bridge level is over 20 feet.
- County road closures expected to last more than 8 hours, from the Department of Public Infrastructure at (707) 565-2237, and state highway conditions on Caltrans QuickMap, as listed by Sonoma Water.
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Who to call
Emergencies: 911. Sheriff dispatch: (707) 565-2121. Non-emergency questions: 2-1-1, or text your ZIP code to 898-211 (SoCoEmergency).
Make the alert useful
An alert only helps if you've decided what you'll do. Write down your triggers: at what forecast you'll move the car, raise belongings, place sandbags or leave. Our Russian River flood stages guide helps you set them.
Sources
- SoCoEmergency: About SoCoAlert
- SoCoAlert sign-up portal
- SoCoEmergency: Sign up for alerts
- Sonoma Water: Flood forecast & emergency information
- CNRFC: Guerneville
- CNRFC: Healdsburg
Sources checked October 18, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does SoCoAlert cost anything?
No. The County describes it as a free emergency notification service.
Will I get alerts if I'm not signed up?
Some systems, like Wireless Emergency Alerts and EAS broadcasts, reach phones and radios without sign-up, but the County strongly recommends subscribing to SoCoAlert.