BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — Whether it’s a hurricane, a wildfire, or a flood, warning folks in the path of potential disasters is now available statewide, but it is nothing new to Baldwin County.
“Previously, not every county had that capability,” said Baldwin County Emergency Management Director Tom Tyler. “Baldwin County has had it for some time. So the state has contracted with this service to provide that capability to all 67 counties.”
Baldwin County goes one step further.
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“We also have Alert Baldwin where people can opt in to receive emergency alerts for anything going on inside of Baldwin County, whether it be weather-related, accident-related, a technological disaster, anything that would not be triggered by the weather service,” said Tyler.
A similar alert system is now available throughout Alabama. After the Camp Mystic floods in Texas last year, it became a priority for Alabama Governor Kay Ivey.
“If you are getting this on your phone, it is necessary to save lives,” added Tyler.
Most recently, Baldwin County EMA sent an alert about the heavy surf generated by Tropical Storm Bertha. A message went to phones along Fort Morgan to stay out of the water for their own safety.
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“The important thing is now every county has the capability to do that,” said Tyler.
Before disaster strikes, a message on a phone could make all the difference…