Following my last post, Garland has issued the following news release. Residents get advance warning by phone of serious storms that might be approaching. Citizens must "opt-in" to get the notifications but that's easy.
 

City of Garland News Release:

Garland Adds Important Upgrades to CodeRED

Garland, Texas – The City of Garland has added two important upgrades to its CodeRED telephone notification system.
 
First, a new severe weather early warning system has been added, which automatically launches calls specific geographic areas that are in the path of tornados, severe thunderstorms and other hazardous weather developments. These automated warnings can provide critical preparation time when severe weather threatens.
 
"As soon as the National Weather Service issues the warning, the calls begin going to the areas affected," says Dorothy White, Public & Media Affairs Manager for the City of Garland. "Since these notifications are automatic, residents and businesses must opt-in for these specialized notifications."
 
To "opt-in" for the automatic weather warnings, go to the City of Garland website at www.ci.garland.tx.us, click on the CodeRED icon on the left side of the page and follow the prompts. Those who are registering for the first time can follow the same instructions.
 
When a CodeRED weather warning call is received, the number 800-566-9780 will be displayed by caller-ID.
 
The City will continue to use CodeRED in other emergency situations such as a hazardous chemical spill, major utility outage, or an Amber or Silver Alert. But the number displayed by caller-ID will change to 866-419-5000, which a citizen can call back from the phone that received the CodeRED alert and listen to the message again with a time and date stamp.
 
"This is particularly important for citizens who may not have heard the message clearly when they answered their phone or those whose voicemail greetings may have clipped part of the recorded message," says Ms. White.
 
Caller-ID will also display the name "Emergency Communications Network" for most telephone customers.
 
For customers without access to a computer or internet service, registration forms are available at City Hall, all branches of the Nicholson Memorial Library System, City recreation centers and other City government facilities.