Cherokee County EMA Director Shawn Rogers and staff with the Emergency Management Agency met with several residents of Pineview Crossing Apartments on Wednesday afternoon to discuss Severe Weather Awareness and Preparedness Plans.

At a moment’s notice, tornadoes, thunderstorms, floods or other severe weather events can strike in Cherokee County at any time. That’s why Cherokee County EMA encourages all residents to be prepared at all times for all types of severe weather.

Director Rogers covered a number of topics ranging from the difference between watches and warnings, the functions of the Emergency Operations Center, different ways to get weather alerts and so on.

Rogers stressed that the Code Red Alert system is available to all residents in Cherokee County offered free of charge, this is a weather alert program offered by the Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency and the Cherokee County Commission.

Code Red sends instant weather alerts via phone call, text, email and social media.

Director Rogers also discussed the use of outdoor warning sirens throughout the county. Rogers said that the sirens are outdated and most have experienced mechanical malfunction and are costly to repair.

Rogers said that the supply of weather radios is replenished each year as needed. Cherokee County EMA signed a number of the residents up for Code Red on site on Wednesday.

Rogers also explained that the EMA Office is in the process of developing a mobile app that will allow for weather alerts to be sent out and will automatically open a built in weather radio. The app will also allow EMA officials to post any pertinent information to the public. That app will hopefully be available within a couple of months.

If you would like to know more about the Cherokee County Emergency Management Agency you can contact Director Rogers at 256-927-3367 or visit the organization on Facebook.