WarnCentralTexas.org alerts many during winter storm

CAPCOG’s regional notifications system, WarnCentralTexas, alerted more residents than ever during Winter Storm Uri, which struck the entire state from February 14 to the 23. The system informed people about icy roads, power outages, boil water notices, and the locations of warming centers and water distribution sites. The system can contact nearly 2.2 million people — 1.3 million landlines and 900,000 cellphones — in the region but continuing to promote self-registration strengthens the system’s ability to reach more people accurately.

“Uri had a significant impact on the region, and WarnCentralTexas was one of the best ways for communities to contact their residents during this disaster,” said Matt Zimmerman, CAPCOG crisis systems coordinator. “It was used almost relentlessly to combat the storm and related incidents.” The regional notification system sent 126 different emergency alerts during the storm from 33 different jurisdictions, which included six counties that sent alerts county wide. The National Weather Service weather advisory was distributed region wide. In total, the system delivered 11.5 million notifications to residents in the nine-day period.

CAPCOG has taken significant steps to ensure local governments can contact as many residents as possible in their jurisdictions during a disaster, but self-registering remains the best way for residents to ensure they get the most accurate emergency information from local public safety officials.

People can register their cellphones and email address at WarnCentralTexas.org.
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