Stearns to Use Automated Community Notification System During Severe Storms

ST. CLOUD -- Stearns County will begin using an automated community notification system to call residents when there is a storm warning in their area.

Emergency Services Director Marvin Klug says the county is spending $10,000 a year for the service. It allows emergency phone calls to people on their land lines and tell them to get to safety.  But, Klug understands many households don't use land lines anymore and rely solely on cell phones.

He says they are currently working on a plan where people can sign-up for a similar notification through their cell phones.

Klug says they are also looking into using social media like Twitter to get the message out when there is a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning.