July 27, 2021 3:20 a.m.  

Governor Kate Brown is urging Oregonians to prepare for emergencies by signing up to receive alerts through Oregon’s new emergency alert notification system, OR-Alert.

A release from Brown said the system has been fully implemented in 26 counties and is being actively implemented in another 8.

The rollout comes as Oregon has recently faced severe weather events including ice storms, extreme drought, and a record-breaking heat wave that has contributed to an early and dangerous wildfire season. The release said with OR-Alert, people can now sign up for alerts custom to their geographic area and receive notifications in the most convenient way possible.

Brown said, “Last year’s historic fire season has taught us that being prepared can truly be the difference between life and death”. Brown said with Oregon now facing increasing climate-related weather events, “…there’s never been a better time to make a plan with your family to be prepared”.

Statewide Interoperability Coordinator William Chapman said between extreme weather, wildfire and the pandemic, it became clear that the state needed a streamlined and customizable way to enable emergency managers at the local, county, Tribal and state level to communicate with the populations they serve across the state and at a moment’s notice.

To get signed up, go to: https://oralert.gov/