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Members of the Greenville Lions Club recently learned about Butler County Emergency Management from EMA Director Kris Ware.

Ware told the that Alabama is “becoming Tornado Alley.”

“The tornado line has shifted,” Ware said. “Our terrain makes for ideal conditions with hills and trees. They are often rain wrapped and occur at night. Emergency Management has to do so much more to prepare first responders and citizens for weather.”

Ware told the group that we are in hurricane season now and that forecasters say it could be near or above average.  She also urged residents of Butler County to download the app for Everbridge and sign up to receive notifications.

“The information comes right to your phone,” Ware said. “People can sign up on our Facebook page or call the office. The system was purchased with a Homeland Security Grant.  We have a five-year contract.”

Ware explained that the system allows EMA to notify residents with warnings.

“The information can be right in the palm of your hand,” she said. “This is local information for Butler County. We are telling you what is happening. We can tell you to leave or a avoid an area if something happens.”

Ware said that during potential storms, Emergency Management personnel are ready to inform the public.

“If we are under a tornado watch, I activate the Emergency Operations Center,” she concluded. “We are ready to send out warnings if needed.”