Mayor, City Officials Launch Alert Madison System

Text Messaging System Alerts Residents of Snow Emergencies

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and City officials today announced the launch of Alert Madison, a new text messaging system that will inform residents of declared snow emergencies. Users can also sign up for Metro Transit rider, detour or weather alerts. "Alert Madison is one important piece in a comprehensive strategy to improve the efficiency of our citywide response to snow events," Cieslewicz said. "This new text messaging system will allow our streets department to inform residents in real time when a snow emergency is declared." By visiting www.cityofmadison.com/winter, residents can set-up an account with My City of Madison account (https://my.cityofmadison.com/), and then will be able to register for AlertMadison. At this site, users can also learn about all things having to do with snow and the City of Madison: Sidewalk Snow & Ice Removal, Snow Plowing, Alternate Side Parking, Snow Emergency Zone, Declared Snow Emergencies, and Winter Activities. The Streets Division will also be posting plowing updates to the site. Along with text messaging, users may sign up for email notification of snow emergencies at this site. "This new system adds another notification tool for our residents to use," Streets Division spokesperson George Dreckmann said. "We hope that it will improve compliance with the parking rules and increase the efficiency of our plowing operations." Alert Madison is one piece of an increased public awareness campaign about snow emergencies and plowing. The City's website now includes a new winter page with information on snow emergencies, parking and alerts. To view the winter information on the City's website, please visit www.cityofmadison.com/winter. This information will also be distributed throughout the snow emergency zone, as well as given to residents applying for a residential parking permit.