COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – In the wake of a historic and deadly EF-3 tornado that devastated the Union City area March 6, Branch County Administrator Frank Walsh is urging all residents to sign up for the CodeRED emergency notification system.
The storm, which packed winds of 160 mph and claimed three lives in the Union Lake vicinity, was the earliest EF-3 tornado in Michigan’s recorded history.
As southwest Michigan enters the peak of its severe weather season, Walsh emphasized that the automated system is a critical tool for providing the “early warning” that some residents reported missing during the recent disaster.
Walsh addressed the Branch County Board of Commissioners last week, saying that while the county is pursuing FEMA funds for recovery expenses, individual preparedness remains the first line of defense against future storms.
The CodeRED platform allows the Branch County 911 Central Dispatch to send time-sensitive alerts via phone, text, and email to specific areas in the county during weather emergencies.
Residents can register their contact information through the Branch County website to ensure they receive direct notifications for tornado warnings and other life-threatening conditions.
For those who have already signed up, Walsh says you should verify contact your contact information is the system current.
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