[July 28, 2011] Severe weather? Expect a call Tweet Jul 26, 2011 (Sun Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- New Bern is adding a new service to its CodeRED Emergency Notification System, the high-speed telephone communication service that notifies residents and businesses of emergencies in the community. The new service, called Weather Warning, now offers the ability to warn residents in the projected path of severe weather. "The city signed up for the Emergency Notification System in 2007," said New Bern Fire-Rescue Chief Bobby Aster. "In fact, New Bern was the first municipality in Eastern North Carolina to implement CodeRED, and the second city in the state." Although thousands of people are already signed up for the Emergency Notification System, Aster said Weather Warning brings an added benefit. "The city's decision to add CodeRED Weather Warning actually came out of citizen concern after the tornados that touched down in parts of New Bern and Craven County in the spring," Aster said. "Warning systems like these have the ability to save lives." Registering for Weather Warning takes just a few minutes and can be done by clicking on the CodeRED logo the city's website, www.newbern-nc.org. If you do not have internet access, call New Bern Fire-Rescue for assistance at (252) 639-2931. CodeRED Weather Warning can dial up to 50,000 phone numbers per hour. It notifies residents in the projected path of severe thunderstorms, tornados, or flash flooding as soon as a warning is issued by the National Weather Service. Weather Warning makes three attempts to connect to any number, and will leave a message on an answering machine and voicemail. On Friday, July 29th New Bern will test its Emergency Notification System. Calls will be placed to city residents between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the message that will be delivered will encourage users to sign up for the Emergency Notification System and the new Weather Warning feature. There is no charge to sign up for the service. If you are already registered for the Emergency Notification System and want to receive severe weather warnings, you will have to update your registration. "Residents and businesses, people with land lines and cell phones should sign up for this service," Aster said. "If you don't get a call on Friday, July 29th, we don't have you in the system. And that's taking a big risk." To see more of the Sun Journal or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.newbernsunjournal.com/. Copyright (c) 2011, Sun Journal, New Bern, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]