County invests in storm warning system

TAVARES — In the midst of hurricane season, Lake County commissioners gave approval to move forward with a new emergency notification system provider that allows emergency management officials in addition to phone calls to send text messages for the first time to residents and connect on social media. An emergency notification system allows public safety officials to communicate with the public during emergency incidents.

“This will be no cost to the county,” he said, adding it is provided through a state contract. “It will provide text messages when we have residents subscribe. We can also provide added info we want them to have such as hurricane season or Zika info.”

There are currently 1500 subscribers to Alert Lake, the emergency notification system, which is free of charge to the public.

While Carpenter said he can phone residents in the database who are not registered, if they have a cellphone he will not be able to reach them.

“We want to make sure as many people register as possible so we can have their up to date information,” he said.