(Des Moines, IA) -- The Des Moines metro area is switching to the statewide Alert Iowa system beginning today. Local alerts will be focused on the Des Moines metro area.
"We're going to be alerting for all of Polk County plus Norwalk and Waukee. That's our alert area." Tracy Bearden, Polk County 9-1-1 Coordinator tells WHO Radio News.
She says surrounding counties are also signing onto the new Alert Iowa system.
The Alert Iowa system sends text messages, emails, and phone calls with emergency messages, but she encourages people if they prefer text or phone messages to still sign up for the emails, because they are able to attach photos and other information in email notification.
Today is the switchover from the old system, Code Red to the new system Alert Iowa, and they'll send a test alert at noon today.
Bearden says the Code Red app will no longer work, and residents must install the Alert Iowa app to get future emergency messages.
CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up for Alert Iowa.