An online and phone emergency alert system is now available for all Walker County residents.
Anyone can sign up for the system that notifies residents with a phone call, text message or email alert in the event of natural disasters or other weather-related issues. Those interested can sign up online at www.walkerga.us or by calling the 911 center’s nonemergency number at 706-375-7810. People choosing to use the text or email function can also sign up for community alerts.
“If you want other community information sent to you by text or email it may be something like there is an alert kind of like the Amber Alert so we can put that out immediately locally,” said Walker County Coordinator David Ashburn. “It won’t be used for things like baseball sign-ups.”
To sign up, residents must provide their name, address and phone number. Residents are given the option of listing people at the address who might have special needs like regular use of a wheelchair or someone who is permanently bedridden. In the event of a natural disaster, county emergency service personnel could use the information about people needing special assistance to help direct any necessary rescue efforts, Ashburn said.
People can list as many phone numbers as they would like, including both cellphones and land lines, however landlines should be indicated either to the 911 center or in the appropriate place while registering online. People must also choose whether or not they want to receive weather updates, community updates or both. No phone calls will be made for community updates.