CARTER COUNTY -- Carter County Emergency Management is launching a new community information service called Nixle. Other governmental organizations have already implemented similar mass messaging systems in our area, but Carter County says they're not paying a cent for Nixle, nor are area residents.

Like many people, Jammey Howard says her cell phone is always close by. But now through Carter County's new mass messaging system, her cell will receive important community notifications or severe storm warnings through texts.

"It makes me feel safer and it makes me feel my family is safer because I don't have the storm radio,” Howard explained.

Howard was one of the first Carter County residents to register with Nixle. Carter County Emergency Management Director Paul Tucker is encouraging all residents to sign up to get the notifications via text and email.

"A lot of people live out in rural areas. And especially during severe weather a lot of them don't have any warning systems out there,” Tucker explained.

Tucker says he plans to use the system to protect people against potentially deadly twisters, like the one that hit lone grove in February, or to notify residents of road closures like those caused by April's wild fires.

Nixle is easy to sign up with. You just have to create your user name and password, then enter your name, email address and cellphone number, along with your home address. It only takes a couple minutes. It's free to you, and it's free to Carter County.

"The service to free to any public service agency that wants to use it,” Tucker said.

The system is secure. Tucker says he can't see the cell phone numbers or email addresses registered with the Nixle, that will receive the public safety messages or storm warnings he sends out.

Howard says she's just thankful to have this addition information system.

"It's a blessing in case something bad happens."

Carter County says they’ll be sending out test text every Friday of this month. If you’d like to register with the system click below.