Emergency Alert System (EAS) Event Codes/
NWR Specific Area Message Encoding
(NWR-SAME) Codes

The Federal Communications Commission issued a Report and Order (R&O), effective May 16, 2002, amending the EAS rules. The change included adding numerous new civil emergency, weather and natural disaster event codes and NWS marine area location codes.

The complete list of EAS event codes (also known as NWR-SAME Codes) is shown below. The chart below is divided into two groups: Codes in use before and after June 30, 2004. NWR and the EAS use identical digital protocols. NWS used Weather Radio as its primary means to activate EAS.

Codes shown below as Operational were implemented on June 30, 2004. Older SAME-enabled receivers may display them as unknown codes, although they should still play the audio. Check your receiver's manual or the manufacturer's website for more information. If you do not receive the new codes, you may want to consider buying a newer model. You will continue to receive the event codes in effect before June 30, 2004.

Naming Convention for EAS Event Codes

The FCC Report and Order which became effective May 16, 2002, established naming conventions for EAS event codes. In most cases, and for all future codes to be approved, the third letter of all hazardous state and local event codes is limited to one of four letters:

• "W" for WARNINGS
• "A" for WATCHES
• "E" for EMERGENCIES
• "S" for STATEMENTS

Note: The existing event codes for Tornado Warning (TOR), Severe Thunderstorm Warning (SVR) and Evacuation Immediate (EVI) will not be changed to conform to this naming convention.

• A WARNING is an event that alone poses a significant threat to public safety and/or property, probability of occurrence and location is high, and the onset time is relatively short.
• A WATCH meets the classification of a warning, but either the onset time, probability of occurrence, or location is uncertain.
• An EMERGENCY is an event that, by itself, would not kill or injure or do property damage, but indirectly may cause other things to happen that result in a hazard. For example, a major power or telephone loss in a large city alone is not a direct hazard, but disruption to other critical services could create a variety of conditions that could directly threaten public safety.
• A STATEMENT is a message contaning follow up information to a warning, watch, or emergency.