Get Weather Warnings As Texts on Your Cell Phone

The Urbandale Fire Department recognizes the use of social media during time of emergencies a method to share information. As such, the Fire Department has implemented a mobile Emergency Message Alert service that works in conjunction with Twitter and your cell phone.The goal of the Emergency Message Alerts is to provide the public another way of being notified of an emergency in Urbandale. This messaging service allows the public to be notified of severe weather watches and warnings which aids in knowing why the outdoor warning sirens may be sounding as well as a means of providing emergency information that is important to the safety of the citizens and visitors in the City of Urbandale.The systems auomiacally post weather warning infromation from Dallas and Polk Counties to the Twitter feed which is then sent via a text message to a cell phone. While this may happen instantaneously, the time time it takes to receive these texts on your cell phone  will depend on your cell pohne carrier. Signing up for this service is easy and does not require a Twitter account and your cell phone number is not distributed.To sign up for this new service, simply text "Follow UFDAlerts" and send it to 40404. The Emeregency Message Alerts does not replace the use of a weather alert radio as reliable means for obtaining weather warnings and we encourage residents to have a weather alert radio. Any questions regarding this system can be directed to the Urbandale Fire Department at 515-278-3970 or vie email to jholt@urbnadale.org.