By Christopher Vargas
The Town of Loxahatchee Groves recently launched an advanced alert system aimed at keeping residents informed and prepared for emergencies and major local events.
The alert system utilizes modern technology to send timely notifications through various channels, including text messages, e-mails and voicemails. It is specifically designed to provide critical information about events that could affect the safety and well-being of the community, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, public health alerts, significant police activities, and other urgent situations that might pose risks or cause disruptions.
“When Hurricane Milton and the tornadoes hit, we saw firsthand the value of staying in touch,” Town Manager Francine Ramaglia said. “In the Groves, everyone tends to look out for each other, and during Hurricane Milton and its tornadoes, that bond grew stronger.”
The alert system, operated through CivicReady, offers residents multiple options to ensure that they receive notifications in the most convenient way for them.
The first method for accessing these alerts is through the “myAlerts” mobile application, available on both the Google Play Store for Android devices and the App Store for Apple devices.
Once downloaded, residents can easily set up the app by entering their contact and location details. This information is essential, as it allows the system to send tailored alerts relevant to the specific area in which the resident lives or is currently located. Any resident living in Loxahatchee Groves can choose to receive alerts about local events in their immediate community, or they may opt to receive alerts for nearby areas if they frequently travel outside the community.
For residents who prefer not to use the app or who would rather set up their alert preferences on a computer, the Loxahatchee Groves Alert page provides an alternative registration method. Residents can access the web page at www.loxahatcheegrovesfl.gov/1476/Alerts-Notifications to create or modify a personalized notification profile.
On the web, residents can submit their contact and location details, similar to the app setup, but with additional customization options. This flexibility allows residents to adjust their notification settings according to their specific needs and preferences. They can input their e-mail address or phone number, select their preferred language for receiving alerts and choose from a range of notification types. These options range from urgent weather alerts and public safety warnings to updates on town events, meetings or other important community-related information.
Ramaglia urges everyone in the community who hasn’t yet signed up for texts, e-mails and/or calls from CivicReady to do so as soon as they can.
“CivicReady helps us stay connected when it matters most,” she said. “It lets us reach folks quickly — through text, e-mail or voice — so no one is left out. That sense of community, backed by the right tools, keeps us all moving forward together — making sure everyone stays informed and safe.”
For those residents unable to download the app or visit the web site, there is a simplified option to subscribe to text-based emergency alerts. By sending a text message with the keyword “LOXALERTS” to the number 38276, residents can sign up to only receive critical emergency notifications exclusively via text message.
This option is particularly helpful for individuals who may not have regular access to the internet or a smart phone, but still want to stay informed about potential emergencies in the area. This easy, opt-in feature ensures that all residents, regardless of technological access, can be included in essential emergency communications.
In developing this new system, the town has taken significant steps to ensure that no resident is left without access to timely information in urgent situations. By offering multiple methods of subscribing to alerts, officials have made it convenient for residents with varying levels of technological comfort to stay connected. This inclusivity not only enhances community safety but also fosters a greater sense of awareness and preparedness among residents, officials said.
Overall, the new alert system in Loxahatchee Groves exemplifies a proactive approach to community safety, giving residents the tools they need to stay informed about critical life and safety events.
