County encourages residents to sign up for 333111 emergency messages as power‑authority alerts expand

Columbia County emergency staff urged residents and agencies to sign up for New York State’s targeted emergency text channel by texting 333111 and entering their county name (for example, Columbia). Staff said the service provides county‑specific notifications about weather, highway conditions, long‑term outages and sheltering information.

County staff also described recent notifications from state power authorities that warn of high‑demand periods and potential curtailment. They said emergency managers now receive emails at different severity levels so they can plan ahead for possible demand‑reduction events and coordinate measures such as turning off nonessential lighting or adjusting building thermostats.

Why it matters: the messaging is intended to give emergency managers and residents advance notice of conditions that could lead to rolling outages or curtailment, enabling agencies to prepare and communicate with the public. Officials cautioned that subscribing to multiple alert systems may produce duplicate messages and advised residents to manage subscriptions accordingly.

Next steps: the county will promote the 333111 sign‑up through social media, brochures and outreach at community events; LEPC members asked the emergency management office to provide materials for staffing fairs and public booths.