Here’s how to sign up for severe weather, other emergency alerts in Belleville
If you’re tired of searching online for local warnings in the middle of a storm, this emergency alert service might save you some time.
CodeRED is a free notification service providing Belleville residents with important information about severe weather events, water boil advisories, street issues, missing children and even escaped animals considered dangerous.
The previous program was Hyper-Reach, which was an entirely phone-based system. If you were signed up for Hyper-Reach, your information was transferred to CodeRED, but officials still recommend you sign up independently for the new service so you can access additional features.
The emergency notification system is operated by the local 911 call center, which will alert residents on the list to any emergencies requiring time-sensitive action.
CodeRED sends notifications through landline, cell phone, email, text or text-based telephones, which are typically utilized by people who have hearing disabilities.
You can create an account online by choosing a username and password and providing information such as your phone number, email, address and notification preferences. You can elect to keep your information “private.”
After you register, you can download the CodeRED app, which is available on Apple’s store, as well as Google Play. While downloading the app is free, Apple’s store says it offers in-app purchases.
If you don’t have internet access, you can sign up for emergency alerts by completing an application at city hall, located at 101 S. Illinois St. in Belleville, or the fire administration offices, located at 1125 S. Illinois St. in Belleville.
CodeRED is available for residents of some surrounding communities, as well. You can sign up for the service in Swansea, Fairview Heights and other municipalities.
What are the automatic alerts you may already get?
Even if you haven’t registered for CodeRED, you may receive notifications about Amber alerts or weather emergency information. These are Wireless Emergency Alerts from the federal government. They disseminate National Weather Service information, as well as missing children alerts and other emergency notifications.
Wireless Emergency Alerts are automatically sent to capable phones in a targeted geographic area, so you should still get them even if you are visiting.
You can opt out of all types of Wireless Emergency Alerts, except for those issued by the president. For iPhone users, you can check your opt-in status by selecting “Notifications” in the Settings app and scrolling to the end under “Government Alerts.”
