Free Lucas County alerts available

Info ranging from Amber alerts to tornado warnings available

10/8/2013

A countywide notification system that allows people to receive electronic messages on information ranging from Amber alerts to tornado warnings will now be available to those who desire it.

Carol Contrada, president of the Lucas County commissioners, said “Lucas County Alerts” are being offered free, giving the public the opportunity to receive text and email alerts about emergencies and other information. It will cost the county $40,000. “It is free to the public, and it is a great opportunity to get those emergency alerts,” she said.

Residents who want to receive alerts can sign up by entering their names, phone numbers, and email addresses at lucascountyalerts.com. In addition to Lucas County, the cities of Toledo and Oregon, the village of Whitehouse, and Monclova Township are partnering in the system.

The alerts are meant to supplement other ways of finding out about emergencies and to catch people’s attention if they are away from a TV or radio.

The system allows the communities to post alerts on information, including, but not limited to, Amber alerts, tornado watches and warnings, road closures, snow emergencies, and leaf and trash collections.

“Being a former fire chief and state fire marshal, the idea to get alerts and information out to residents is fairly important,” said Toledo Mayor Mike Bell.