Monroe County launches new emergency alert system Hyperreach

Officials say the new platform aims to deliver faster and more reliable emergency notifications to residents

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT)- Monroe County is upgrading how it alerts residents during emergencies with a new mass notification system called Hyperreach.

Officials say the switch comes after their previous system experienced a nationwide data breach.

Captain Christina Bramlett with the Monroe County Emergency Management Agency says the new system will help them reach people faster than before.

“We have a growing population, so we needed something that was more accurate and timely. Hyperreach has a 99.999% effective rating to get those notifications out to our people when they need it.”

The system sends alerts to phones and emails to notify residents of severe weather, missing persons, and other emergencies.

But Bramlett says people should not rely on just one source for alerts.

“This is one layer among many, we want all of our citizens to have multiple means of notification. There’s always failure opportunities with any system, so we want people to have registration with Hyperreach, have a weather radio, being weather aware.”

Cathie Resseau has lived in Monroe County for more than 40 years and says she is thankful for the new alert system.

“I live alone now and my children encouraged me to go ahead and sign up for this program, it’s a wonderful program.”

Officials say signing up is easy and can be done online, by phone, or by text. They encourage residents to take advantage of the service.