Emergency Alerts How to Stay Informed
The dedicated volunteers of the Madison County Rescue Squad realize the nation’s threats, both natural and man-made, are becoming increasingly more serious. At the same time, the communications landscape is growing and becoming more complex. These factors have the Squad asking the question: What are some steps I can take to keep myself informed?
With new technologies coming out every week it seems, there comes a multitude of communication methods used to deliver notifications, alerts, and warnings. This website you are looking at is an example. Some people rely on email while others prefer to use text messages (SMS). Telephones and TV are two more ways messages are being distributed. Regardless of your preference, here are a few key resources you can use to stay informed of potential and actual threats to help increase your personal safety and preparedness. The four resources below are some of the best notification resources you can use and subscribe to. Each is free and available to the general public.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has the capability of sending email alerts to subscribers containing information about severe and threatening weather for a specified area. You can customize your subscription to alert you of hazardous events including tornados, hurricanes, floods, winter weather, high winds, and other threats that your geographic location may face.
Use a NOAA Weather Radio to receive broadcasts of official Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has compiled a database of state and local government agencies that provide preparedness information and resources in your community. Many state and local emergency management agencies have the capability to send alert and notification messages to residents of the community who subscribe to the service.
If you live in an area prone to tropical storms or hurricanes consider signing up for the National Hurricane Center’s (NHC) email or text updates. To limit the amount of information received, choose “Public Advisories” only when customizing your notifications.
Earthquakes have the potential to affect everyone. The Madison County Rescue Squad is located just West of Louisa County. Moderately heavy damage occurred in a rural region of Louisa County southwest of Mineral on August 23, 2011. Widespread light to moderate damage occurred from central Virginia to southern Maryland including the Washington D.C. area. Minor damage reported in parts of Delaware, southeastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. This earthquake was felt throughout the eastern US from central Georgia to central Maine and west to Detroit, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois. In addition, it was felt in many parts of southeastern Canada from Montreal to Windsor.
Sign up for the Earthquake Notification Service (ENS) to receive automated notification emails about earthquakes that happen in your area.
Madison County has partnered with Emergency Communications Network to keep you informed of potential emergency situations.
Sign up for notifications today! It's free. Just click on the Code Red Logo
