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.
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:
Begin the process of Sending an IPAWs alert
When you get to the Target Area section of the Create Public Message form, click the Add Shape link:
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: 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
Draw your shape to cover your target alerting area:
To draw a polygon:
Click to add new points to your shape
Outline your target area on the map
Double-click to close the polygon and create the shape
To draw a square or circle:
Click on the map
Drag your mouse until the shape covers your desired area
Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done:
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.
Create a shape if you haven't already
On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field 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.
Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move
Click the shape on the map view screen to activate it:
Click and drag your shape to cover your target alerting area
Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done:
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.
Create a shape if you haven't already
On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field 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.
Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move:
Double-click the shape on the map view screen to activate point editing:
Hover over and click one of the white dots that are now visible on the lines of the shape:
Move the new points to adjust the shape as needed:
Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done:
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.
Create a shape if you haven't already
On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field 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.
Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move:
Double-click the shape on the map view screen to activate point editing:
Hover over and click one of the orange dots that are now visible on the lines of the shape:
Hold the shift key on your keyboard and click additional dots to select multiple points, if desired:
After selecting the points you want to move, drag your mouse until the points are on the desired area of the map:
Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done:
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.
Create a shape if you haven't already
On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field 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.
Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move:
Double-click the shape on the map view screen to activate point editing:
Hover over and click one or more of the orange dots that are now visible on the lines of the shape:
Hold the shift key on your keyboard and click additional dots to select multiple points, if desired:
After selecting the points you want to delete, press delete or backspace on your keyboard to remove them from the shape:
Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done
Simplify a Shape
Follow the steps in this section to simplify an existing shape using the built-in Simplify and Remove Holes actions.
Create a shape if you haven't already
On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field 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.
Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move:
Click the shape you would like to modify:
Click the Simplify Shape button within the drawing tools menu:
Select the Simplify action you would like to perform:
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
Continue to modify points within the shape if needed
Click the white rectangular Save Shape button at the top of the map view screen when you are done:
You will be redirected to the Create Public Message page
Delete a Shape
Follow the steps in this section to delete an existing shape.
Create a shape if you haven't already
On the Create Public Message page, find the Geographic Area field 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.
Click the Edit Esri Shape button (yellow pencil and green right-arrow icon) next to the shape you wish to move:
Click the shape on the map view screen to activate it:
Click the Delete Feature button (trash can icon) in the drawing tools menu:
Note:
You can also press delete or backspace on your keyboard.
The shape is now deleted and you will be redirected to the Create Public Message page