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Local briefings: Arizona Department of Emergency Management. Listed by USA.gov.

What changed

New & Upcoming

Recent changes to official warnings and guidance, plus new gear and food that people ask about. Reviewed Oct 5, 2026.

Last reviewed Oct 5, 2026

AllGuidanceGearFoodAppsUpcoming only

Coming up

GearUpcoming

Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus v2 and 2000 Plus v2

Announced Sept 4, 2026; orders open Oct 14, 2026 in the UK and Europe

Jackery announced two portable power stations at IFA 2026 in Berlin. The E1000 Plus v2 stores 1,024 Wh (expandable to 11 kWh) and puts out 1,800 W continuous. It weighs 10.8 kg. The E2000 Plus v2 stores 2,048 Wh (expandable to 12 kWh) and puts out 2,400 W. It weighs 18.8 kg. Both list 10 ms UPS switchover. The release gives UK/Europe ordering only; no US date or price.

Why it matters here: Power

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Guidance

Transition Oct 15–30, 2026 (NWS notice dated Sept 15, 2026)

GuidanceUpcoming

NWS hazard outlook graphic goes official nationwide

Transition Oct 15–30, 2026 (NWS notice dated Sept 15, 2026)

The National Weather Service's Graphical Hazardous Weather Outlook is leaving experimental status. The transition starts Oct 15, 2026 and completes on or about Oct 30, 2026, and adds offices outside the lower 48. It shows a local office's forecast hazards in a color-coded table, most up to 7 days ahead. Each office's page has the form weather.gov/ghwo?wfo=xxx.

Why it matters here: Know where your local warnings come from.

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Guidance

Effective on or about Dec 1, 2026 (NWS notice dated Sept 15, 2026)

GuidanceUpcoming

New format for the Extreme Wind Warning

Effective on or about Dec 1, 2026 (NWS notice dated Sept 15, 2026)

The Extreme Wind Warning, issued for extreme hurricane winds of 115 mph or greater, will switch to the same bulleted 'impact-based' format already used for tornado, severe thunderstorm, and flash flood warnings. The bullets state the hazard, its source (such as radar indicated), and its impact. It's issued by Atlantic-basin tropical offices, Honolulu, and Guam.

Why it matters here: Hurricane

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Recently released

Guidance

Effective on or about Oct 1, 2026 (NWS notice dated June 8, 2026)

Guidance

"Particularly Dangerous Situation" wording for blizzards and ice storms

Effective on or about Oct 1, 2026 (NWS notice dated June 8, 2026)

NWS can now add 'Particularly Dangerous Situation' to Blizzard Warnings and Ice Storm Warnings. It's for high confidence of a blizzard or ice storm of extreme and historic severity that poses an exceptional threat beyond a typical one. If you see it, treat it as the top of the scale.

Why it matters here: Winter storm

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Guidance

September 2026

Guidance

National Preparedness Month 2026: "Americans Stand Ready"

September 2026

Each September, FEMA's Ready Campaign runs National Preparedness Month, as it has since 2004. The 2026 theme is 'Americans Stand Ready.' The page has the campaign's materials.

Why it matters here: Family plan

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Gear

EcoFlow RIVER Gen4

Unveiled Sept 4, 2026

Two small power stations shown at IFA 2026 in Berlin. The RIVER 260 Gen4 has 256 Wh, 300 W AC (up to 600 W with X-Boost for selected devices), and weighs about 3.0 kg. The RIVER 520 Gen4 has 512 Wh, 500 W AC (up to 1,000 W with X-Boost), and weighs about 4.6 kg. Both offer UPS switchover under 10 ms. The release gives no US price or date.

Why it matters here: Power

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Gear

BLUETTI Pioneer 5000 E-Generator

Unveiled Sept 4, 2026

A large battery 'E-Generator' aimed at jobsites: 5 kW continuous and 18 kW peak surge. It has a 5.12 kWh LiFePO₄ battery expandable to 35 kWh, and BLUETTI says it runs at 50 dB or less. The release gives no price.

Why it matters here: Power

Fuel generators must stay outdoors; see the Power chapter.

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Gear

BLUETTI Elite 100 mini

Launched Sept 2, 2026

BLUETTI's smallest 1 kWh-class power station: 1,004.8 Wh and 700 W continuous AC, at 23.6 lb (10.7 kg). In UPS mode it switches to battery within 10 ms of an outage. On sale at launch on the BLUETTI Store and Amazon for $429.

Why it matters here: Power

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Gear

Garmin fēnix 9 and fēnix 9 Pro

Released Aug 25, 2026

Garmin's new multisport GPS watches. Select fēnix 9 Pro models have inReach satellite and LTE connectivity for calling, texting, and SOS to Garmin's 24/7 response center. This needs an active plan, and Garmin notes important limitations versus other inReach devices. Available now from $999.99 (fēnix 9) and $1,099.99 (fēnix 9 Pro).

Why it matters here: Comms

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Apps

FEMA App update

Updated Aug 14, 2026 (Google Play)

FEMA's free app sends real-time NWS and IPAWS alerts for up to five locations you choose by ZIP code. The listing warns that real-time tornado alerts based on your current location are not offered in the app, so keep phone emergency alerts on.

Why it matters here: Comms

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Guidance

Effective on or about June 1, 2026 (NWS notice dated Mar 24, 2026)

Guidance

Storm surge warnings come to Hawaii

Effective on or about June 1, 2026 (NWS notice dated Mar 24, 2026)

The Storm Surge Watch and Warning, the Potential Storm Surge Flooding Map, and the Peak Storm Surge graphic now cover Hawaii. Before this, they covered only the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Storm Surge Warnings alert through Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Why it matters here: Hurricane, Tsunami

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Guidance

May 21, 2026

Guidance

NOAA's 2026 Atlantic hurricane outlook: below normal

May 21, 2026

NOAA gives a 55% chance of a below-normal season, 35% near-normal, and 10% above-normal: 8–14 named storms, 3–6 hurricanes, and 1–3 major hurricanes, with 70% confidence. An average season has 14 named storms, 7 hurricanes, and 3 major. NOAA expects El Niño to develop. NWS Director Ken Graham: 'It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season.'

Why it matters here: Hurricane

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Guidance

Effective on or about May 15, 2026 (NWS notice dated Mar 16, 2026)

Guidance

Hurricane cone now shows inland warnings

Effective on or about May 15, 2026 (NWS notice dated Mar 16, 2026)

NHC's forecast cone now includes all coastal and inland tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings for the continental U.S., Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It uses single shading for the whole 5-day cone. NHC is also testing an experimental cone built from ellipses that covers 90% of track possibilities instead of the traditional 67%.

Why it matters here: Hurricane

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Guidance

May 7, 2026

Guidance

FEMA Review Council final report (proposals)

May 7, 2026

The President's FEMA Review Council released its final report. Among its proposals is a single direct payment program (FAIR) for survivors whose homes are uninhabitable. Homeowners would get up to 15% of assessed value, capped at a $1 million valuation, so no more than $150,000. Renters would get 3 months of rent at HUD Fair Market Rate, with up to 3 more months for greater need. These are recommendations, not current law. Today's aid rules are at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Why it matters here: Money, Comeback

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Guidance

Apr 21, 2026 (comment periods ran through Sept 30, 2026)

Guidance

NWS HeatRisk: 7-day maps and a new 10-day probabilistic prototype

Apr 21, 2026 (comment periods ran through Sept 30, 2026)

NWS HeatRisk gives a daily heat-risk level on a five-tier scale for each 24-hour period of the 7-day forecast. NWS extended comments on the experimental HeatRisk grids through Sept 30, 2026. On Apr 21, 2026 it added a Probabilistic HeatRisk prototype showing the range of possible heat risk for each day of a ten-day forecast. Both viewers are free online.

Why it matters here: Heat

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Gear

Midland MXT115P PRO GMRS radio

Released Apr 15, 2026

A 15-watt GMRS mobile radio with an IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, a wired intercom jack, and a PA function. Available at launch for $239.99. GMRS requires an FCC license before you transmit; see the Comms chapter.

Why it matters here: Comms

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Food

Mountain House: Cajun Style Jambalaya and Breakfast Fried Rice

Released Apr 6, 2026

Two new freeze-dried entrees with 32 g of protein per pouch, made in Albany, Oregon. Breakfast Fried Rice was originally developed for the U.S. military and is now sold to consumers for the first time. $12.49 MSRP.

Why it matters here: Food, Pantry

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Gear(edge of window)

Katadyn Explorer water filter and purifier

Released Mar 31, 2026

The Explorer Microfilter pairs a field-cleanable ceramic filter with activated carbon. It's rated for 20,000 L (ceramic) and 500 L (carbon). The Explorer Pro adds a virus-removal hollow-fiber membrane, rated for 10,000 L. Prices: $199.95 (Microfilter), $449.95 (Pro), and $249.95 for an upgrade kit.

Why it matters here: Water

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Gear(edge of window)

LifeStraw Sip Essential

Released Mar 31, 2026

LifeStraw's lightest filter straw: 0.7 oz, with a 0.2-micron membrane microfilter rated for up to 1,000 liters (264 gallons).

Why it matters here: Water

Checked Oct 5, 2026

Guidance

Effective on or around Mar 19, 2026

Guidance(edge of window)

New tsunami warning phone alerts

Effective on or around Mar 19, 2026

NWS updated the English and Spanish Wireless Emergency Alert messages for Tsunami Warnings. The short version reads: 'NWS: TSUNAMI WARNING! Danger at the coast. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND OR INLAND NOW.' Learn it so you act on it immediately.

Why it matters here: Tsunami

Checked Oct 5, 2026