“Alert Iowa” Good Way to Receive Severe Weather Notifications

(Stuart) It’s Severe Weather Awareness Week. The National Weather Service and local Officials are reminding Iowans that severe weather can happen any month of the year. However, we are getting closer to the peak season for tornadoes and thunderstorms.

Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Kempf says the statewide “Alert Iowa” System is an excellent way to receive notifications for severe weather events. Bob Kempf says residents can sign up for free alerts via text, email, and voice message. They can also register contact information for their spouse and family. The system uses a third-party platform

Kemph says residents can sign up on participating county web page or the Iowa Homeland Security Emergency Management. Kempf says the system allows state and local officials to send emergency and public safety messages to residents in participating counties.

The majority of Iowa counties have opted to participate in Alert Iowa. To determine if your county is participating, visit the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) website homelandsecurity.iowa.gov and select Alert Iowa under the Programs section.