Abstract: The invention relates to a warning system and a method for operating a warning system. The warning system comprises a message issuer (14), a warning control center (18) and a multiplicity of message recipients (19). In the message issuer (14), a warning message (21) is generated in which is encoded a piece of geographical information. The warning message (21) is sent from the message issuer (19) to the warning control center (18) via a transfer station (15). In the warning control center (18), the geographical information is analyzed in order to make a selection from a multiplicity of predefined message recipients (19). The warning message (21) is sent from the warning control center (18) to the selected message recipients (19). The warning system according to the invention enables the warning messages (21) to be entered easily and enables rapid transfer of the warning messages (21) to the message recipients.