With questions persisting about whether enough warnings were made ahead of the catastrophic floods in the Hill Country, we are continuing to break down emergency notifications issued in and around Texas, specifically CodeRED.
EXPLAINER: Understanding CodeRED emergency notifications in Central Texas
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As the name indicates, CodeRED is a web-based notification system to alert residents of “emergencies and/or general information quickly and easily.”
Many Texas cities and counties rely on this free service, and signing up or getting these alerts varies based on residency, according to public portals like WarnCentralTexas.org Based on where you live, residents can sign up either on their desktop computer or on a mobile device.
However, registration, i.e., signing up for these notifications, is vital.
“No one should assume their number is included,” the City of Kerrville’s website states.
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Using the City of Kerrville as an example, here are some step-by-step instructions on how to register for these life-saving alerts.
First, download the “CodeRED” app on the App Store. Once the app is downloaded onto your phone, launch the app to find a registration page.
Enter your email address, and come up with a secure password for your account.
Once you have created your account, the app will open to a page displaying a map of your area.
Go into the settings of your account to customize your CodeRED alerts and to set a radius of how wide a distance you want to receive alerts for.
Once you have adjusted your settings, you can return to the map found on the homescreen of the app. There, you will receive alerts for emergencies within the radius that you selected.
Additionally, you can utilize the home screen to listen to audio associated with an emergency alert if one is issued, and even read the alert details at the bottom of the screen.
To register on your desktop for emergency alerts about flash floods and other emergencies in Kerrville, click here.
Once you reach the registration page, pick a memorable but secure username and password for your account.
Log in with your new username and password. You will be redirected to another registration page where you can input personal information like your address, name, and language preference.
Add your phone number, email, and mobile provider to opt into text and email alerts regarding emergencies in the area.
Once you have completed all of your registration requirements, you will be redirected to this page, indicating that you have successfully registered for CodeRED alerts.
You can learn more about CodeRED, as implemented by the City of Kerrville, by clicking here.
