This blog post summarizes the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s (DESPP) recent push for residents to enroll in the CT Alert emergency notification system as extreme weather events increase nationwide.
It explains why the system matters, how to sign up, and practical preparedness steps—including app recommendations, kit essentials, and evacuation planning—drawing on official guidance and meteorological outlooks.
Why CT Alert matters for Connecticut households
CT Alert is Connecticut’s primary emergency notification platform, designed to deliver timely warnings about imminent threats to health and safety.
With more than 225,000 residents currently registered and an unprecedented surge of over 5,000 new enrollments in the past month—more than in any single year over the last three years—authorities are emphasizing the system’s growing role in community resilience.
DESPP Commissioner Ronnell A. Higgins underscores that early warnings save lives by giving residents the time to act before dangerous conditions arrive.
Deputy Commissioner Brenda Bergeron points out that alerts can be delivered to landlines and multiple devices, ensuring messages reach households via the most effective channels.
How to sign up and receive alerts
Signing up is straightforward: residents can register online through the CT Alert portal or text CTALERT to 888-777 to begin receiving messages.
The system supports delivery to cell phones, email addresses, and landlines so that households can tailor notifications to their preferred devices.
Tip: Verify that your contact information is current—especially if you move, change phone numbers, or add devices—to maintain uninterrupted access to critical notifications.
Preparing beyond notifications: what officials recommend
While alerts provide the crucial prompt, preparedness actions taken beforehand determine how well households weather an emergency.
Connecticut Emergency Management Director William Turner stresses that alerts help people prepare, but the effectiveness of that preparation depends on having plans, supplies, and practice in place.
Meteorologist Josh Cingranelli reminds residents that the season remains active: NOAA forecasts an above-normal hurricane season, and Connecticut could still experience several storms through summer and fall.
That outlook reinforces the need to combine timely alerts with concrete readiness steps.
Essential items and planning for your home and “go bag”
Officials recommend assembling both a home emergency kit and a portable “go bag.” Below are priority items to include so you can respond quickly when an alert arrives:
For those in designated hurricane evacuation zones, creating and practicing an evacuation plan is essential.
Identify evacuation routes, safe destinations, and a meeting point for family members.
Keep vehicle fuel tanks topped and make provisions for pets.
In addition to CT Alert, DESPP advises downloading the CTPrepares app for checklists, preparedness guidance, and local resources.
Enroll in CT Alert, download CTPrepares, and assemble your kits.
Here is the source article for this story: Officials urge CT residents to sign up for alerts as extreme weather incidents increase across U.S.