When severe weather or another emergency is headed our way, knowing what’s happening as quickly as possible can make a real difference.
Beginning September 1, Milam County moved to Everbridge for its emergency notification system. The new system replaces CodeRED and can send important public-safety information to residents, businesses and others throughout the county.
For those of us who live in Milam County, this is one of those changes that’s worth taking a few minutes to learn about—before we actually need it.
What Are Milam County Emergency Alerts?
The Everbridge system allows local officials to send emergency notifications about situations affecting our communities.
These alerts can include information about severe weather, fires, flooding, road closures, utility problems and other emergencies.
Depending on the information and preferences associated with your account, notifications may be delivered through several methods, including your phone.
That’s particularly useful in a rural county like ours, where conditions can be very different from one community to another.
A storm affecting Cameron may not be affecting Rockdale in quite the same way. A flooded road, fire or other emergency may be important to people in one particular part of the county.
Local alerts can help provide information that is relevant to where we actually live.
Milam County Has Switched From CodeRED to Everbridge
Residents may recognize the name CodeRED, which Milam County previously used for emergency notifications.
As of September 1, the county has transitioned to Everbridge.
Existing CodeRED information is expected to transfer to the new system, but residents are still being encouraged to create an Everbridge account and review their notification preferences.
I wouldn’t assume that because you were registered before, there’s nothing else you need to do.
Take a few minutes to make sure your information is correct and that your notification preferences are set the way you want them.
Don’t Wait Until the Weather Turns Bad
One of the worst times to figure out how an emergency-alert system works is when you’re already in the middle of an emergency.
We’ve seen plenty of reminders here in Central Texas that our weather can change quickly.
Severe thunderstorms, extreme heat, flooding, wildfire conditions and other hazards can develop with surprisingly little warning.
Setting up Milam County emergency alerts ahead of time gives you one more way to receive information when something important is happening.
It only takes a few minutes now, and then it’s done.
Help an Older Family Member Get Set Up
This is one area where I think we should pay particular attention to our seniors.
Some older adults are perfectly comfortable setting up accounts, changing notification preferences and using smartphones.
Others aren’t.
If you have an elderly parent, relative, friend or neighbor who might have difficulty setting up the new Everbridge system, consider sitting down with them and helping.
Make sure their contact information is correct and that they understand what the alerts are.
You might also want to make sure another family member receives emergency information so someone can check on them when necessary.
Sometimes helping someone prepare for an emergency is as simple as helping them with their phone.
More information on Carol’s Senior Care.
Make Emergency Alerts Part of Your Household Plan
Emergency notifications work best when they’re just one part of being prepared.
Make sure everyone in the household knows what to do if severe weather approaches.
Keep flashlights somewhere you can find them. Know where important medications are. Keep phones charged when storms are expected. Make sure pets can be brought to a safe location quickly.
If you live in a rural area, make sure your house number is visible from the road so emergency responders can find you.
And if flooding occurs, never drive through water covering a roadway.
None of these preparations is complicated.
They’re simply small things that are much easier to take care of before something happens.
Don’t Depend on Just One Source of Information
Everbridge is a useful tool, but I wouldn’t rely on any single method of receiving emergency information.
Keep an eye on National Weather Service forecasts when severe weather is expected. Pay attention to local authorities and emergency-management information.
A weather radio can also provide another way to receive warnings, particularly if cellular service or electricity is interrupted.
The goal isn’t to have your phone constantly buzzing with warnings.
The goal is to make sure that when something important is happening, you have a good chance of hearing about it.
A Few Minutes Now Could Matter Later
At Driscoll Home Services, many of the things we talk about come back to the same basic idea: taking care of small things before they turn into bigger problems.
Signing up for Milam County emergency alerts fits right into that philosophy.
Take a few minutes to make sure your Everbridge information is set up correctly. Then think about the people around you.
Does Mom have it?
Does Dad understand how the alerts work?
What about an elderly neighbor who lives alone?
Helping someone get connected to local emergency information isn’t a very big job.
But someday, that little bit of help could be very important.
Milam County has provided us with another tool for staying informed. Now it’s up to each of us to make sure we’re ready to use it.
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