Tagged: Code Red

Mayor Greg Fischer says the severe weather that struck Louisville this week should serve as a reminder for citizens to sign up for the city's emergency alert system.

The Code Red alerts use text messages, e-mails and phone calls to warn residents about potentially life-threatening events, including severe weather.

Code Red was established two years ago in the aftermath of a chemical explosion in the Rubbertown neighborhood. Over 239,000 individuals are already registered, but the mayor hopes more citizens will sign up.

"The Code Red system is easy to use and gets information to people quickly so they can protect themselves and their families," Fischer said in a news release. "During last night’s storms, if you were asleep or weren’t listening to television or radio, you would have received a phone call or text message from Code Red with the latest warnings."

Metro Government will install a new emergency siren in Louisville’s East End, and upgrade three others with federal grant money.

Louisville’s Emergency Management Agency uses the city’s network of 124 sirens to warn residents of everything from extreme weather to industrial accidents. But because they’re frequently used during tornado warnings, they’re often called ‘tornado sirens.’

Mayor’s spokesman Chris Poynter says the city decided a siren was necessary on the University of Louisville’s Shelby Campus, which is near Hurstbourne Parkway and Shelbyville Road.

According to Louisville Emergency Management, there's been a "very small" ammonia leak at a Stir the Pot, a Butchertown food manufacturing plant. A Code Red alert was sent out to the plant's neighbors, but the Louisville Fire Department says there's no danger to the public. Plant employees were evacuated.

Stir the Pot is  located at 1057 E. Washington Street.