Create and Edit Shapes on IPAWS Maps

  • Updated on Aug 8, 2025
  • 6 minute(s) read
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This article will show you how to create, edit, and delete map shapes for IPAWS alerts.

Important Note:

  • Shapes should only be created for alerts that will be disseminated across WEA channels.

  • FEMA has the following restrictions when creating alerting areas:

    • You can have up to 100 points in total

    • You can create up to 10 shapes

    • The 100-point maximum is the total number of points from all the shapes you create

Create a Shape

Follow the steps in this section to create a new shape.

  1. Log in to the IPAWS website if you have not already

    Note: You can navigate to the IPAWS website using the website URL, or you can sign in to the Mass Notification system and click the Public Communication and Send IPAWS Alert options on the left-hand menu of the dashboard. If you do not see the Send IPAWS Alert option, you may not have permission to send alerts.Mass Notification system dashboard left menu with the public communication and send IPAWS alert options.

  2. Begin the process of Sending an IPAWs alert

  3. When you get to the Target Area section of the Create Public Message form, click the Add Shape link Target area section and add shape link within the IPAWS alert form.

  4. In the pop-up that appears, select the type of shape you would like to draw from the drawing tools menu on the right of the map view screen Polygon, square, and circle shape options within the drawing tools menu.

    • Polygon: Create a shape with at least three straight sides

    • Square: Create a shape with four equal sides

    • Circle: Create a round shape with no sides

  5. Draw your shape to cover your target alerting area Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange sizing handles surrounding it.

    • To draw a polygon:

      1. Click to add new points to your shape

      2. Outline your target area on the map

      3. Double-click to close the polygon and create the shape

    • To draw a square or circle:

      1. Click on the map

      2. Drag your mouse until the shape covers your desired area

  6. Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done Save shape button next to the close button at the top of the map view screen.

  7. You will be redirected to the Create Public Message page

Note: Only one shape can be added at a time. If you need to add more than one shape to cover your alerting area, repeat Steps 3 through 6 of the Create a Shape section as many times as necessary.

Move a Shape

Follow the steps in this section to move an existing shape.

  1. Create a shape if you haven't already

  2. On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field within the Target Area section Geographic Area field with an example polygon shape within the target area section.

    Note: Skip to Step 4 of the Move a Shape section if you are already viewing the map view screen.

  3. Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move Edit Esri shape button within the Geographic Area field.

  4. Click the shape on the map view screen to activate it Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange sizing handles surrounding it.

  5. Click and drag your shape to cover your target alerting area

  6. Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done Save shape button next to the close button at the top of the map view screen.

  7. You will be redirected to the Create Public Message page

Add Points to a Shape

Follow the steps in this section to add points to an existing shape.

  1. Create a shape if you haven't already

  2. On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field within the Target Area section Geographic Area field with an example polygon shape within the target area section.

    Note: Skip to Step 4 of the Add Points to a Shape section if you are already viewing the map view screen.

  3. Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move Edit Esri shape button within the Geographic Area field.

  4. Double-click the shape on the map view screen to activate point editing Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange sizing handles surrounding it.

  5. Hover over and click one of the white dots that are now visible on the lines of the shape Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange and white dots along the shape outline.

  6. Move the new points to adjust the shape as needed Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with one additional orange dot and two additional white dots along the shape outline.

  7. Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done Save shape button next to the close button at the top of the map view screen.

  8. You will be redirected to the Create Public Message page

Move Points on a Shape

Follow the steps in this section to move points on an existing shape.

  1. Create a shape if you haven't already

  2. On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field within the Target Area section Geographic Area field with an example polygon shape within the target area section.

    Note: Skip to Step 4 of the Move Points on a Shape section if you are already viewing the map view screen.

  3. Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move Edit Esri shape button within the Geographic Area field.

  4. Double-click the shape on the map view screen to activate point editing Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange sizing handles surrounding it.

  5. Hover over and click one of the orange dots that are now visible on the lines of the shape Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange and white dots along the shape outline.

  6. Hold the shift key on your keyboard and click additional dots to select multiple points, if desired Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with additional dots selected.

  7. After selecting the points you want to move, drag your mouse until the points are on the desired area of the map Re-defined blue polygon shape with some points moved further out on the map.

  8. Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done Save shape button next to the close button at the top of the map view screen.

  9. You will be redirected to the Create Public Message page

Remove Points from a Shape

Follow the steps in this section to remove points on an existing shape.

  1. Create a shape if you haven't already

  2. On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field within the Target Area section Geographic Area field with an example polygon shape within the target area section.

    Note: Skip to Step 4 of the Remove Points from a Shape section if you are already viewing the map view screen.

  3. Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move Edit Esri shape button within the Geographic Area field.

  4. Double-click the shape on the map view screen to activate point editing Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange sizing handles surrounding it.

  5. Hover over and click one or more of the orange dots that are now visible on the lines of the shape Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange and white dots along the shape outline.

  6. Hold the shift key on your keyboard and click additional dots to select multiple points, if desired Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with additional dots selected.

  7. After selecting the points you want to delete, press delete or backspace on your keyboard to remove them from the shape Blue polygon shape with only three sides.

  8. Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done Save shape button next to the close button at the top of the map view screen.

Simplify a Shape

Follow the steps in this section to simplify an existing shape using the built-in Simplify and Remove Holes actions.

  1. Create a shape if you haven't already

  2. On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field within the Target Area section Geographic Area field with an example polygon shape within the target area section.

    Note: Skip to Step 4 of the Simplify a Shape section if you are already viewing the map view screen.

  3. Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move Edit Esri shape button within the Geographic Area field.

  4. Click the shape you would like to modify Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange sizing handles surrounding it.

  5. Click the Simplify Shape button within the drawing tools menu Simplify Shape button within the drawing tools menu.

  6. Select the Simplify action you would like to perform Simplify and remove holes options.

    • Simplify: This action will help reduce the overall number of points within a shape and will also remove any holes/doughnuts within the shape

    • Remove Holes: This action will remove any holes/doughnuts within the shape

  7. Continue to modify points within the shape if needed

  8. Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done Save shape button next to the close button at the top of the map view screen.

  9. You will be redirected to the Create Public Message page

Delete a Shape

Follow the steps in this section to delete an existing shape.

  1. Create a shape if you haven't already

  2. On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field within the Target Area section Geographic Area field with an example polygon shape within the target area section.

    Note: Skip to Step 4 of the Delete a Shape section if you are already viewing the map view screen.

  3. Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move Edit Esri shape button within the Geographic Area field.

  4. Click the shape on the map view screen to activate it Blue polygon shape defining an example target alerting area with orange sizing handles surrounding it.

  5. Click the Delete Feature button (trash can icon) in the drawing tools menu Delete feature button within the drawing tools menu.

    Note: You can also press delete or backspace on your keyboard.

  6. The shape is now deleted and you will be redirected to the Create Public Message page

Resources

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