Jackson County's Emergency Management Agency is changing the way emergency weather notifications are handled.
The agency is switching from the NIXLE system to CodeRED. Deputy Coordinator Orval Rowe said the new system lets people customize their alerts.
"You can customize what settings you put on your own account, so maybe if you want a tornado warning but you don't a severe thunderstorm warning, or maybe you [don't] want warnings and just watches," he said.
Rowe said the new alert system is also linked directly to the National Weather Service in Paducah, so people will get alerts faster when watches and warnings are issued.
People who are already getting NIXLE notifications will have to sign up again for Code Red. To sign up,visit the city of Carbondale or city of Murphysboro websites or theJackson County EMA website.
