Here's how severe weather alert systems keep you safe

Receiving a severe weather alert in a timely fashion could be the difference between life and death.

When severe weather can produce “destructive or considerable” damage at your location, a Wireless Emergency Alert is automatically sent to your cell phone with language encouraging you to act fast.

Unlike alerts sent to traditional NOAA weather radios and other weather apps, wireless emergency alerts are only sent for the most threatening of storms.

For example, the National Weather Service will issue a severe thunderstorm warning anytime a storm can produce winds greater than 58 mph or one-inch size hail. Such a warning would trigger weather radios and apps such as the WCNC Charlotte app.

However, the government's alert system on your phone will not trigger unless that storm is going to produce winds over 70 mph or hail greater than 1.75 inches.