Logan County urges residents to sign up for CodeRED alerts

When a wind-driven grass fire near Padroni forced evacuations and burned nearly 4,000 acres in February, Logan County showed why emergency alerts matter before smoke or sirens reach your street. County officials are urging residents to enroll in the alert system that now runs through the Everbridge Community platform, even as many people still know it by the CodeRED name.

Logan County says the system sends urgent notifications based on geography, so the people actually in the affected area get the message instead of the entire county receiving a blanket alert. The notifications can go to cell phones, land lines, text messages and email, giving households more than one way to hear about evacuation notices, missing-child alerts, wildfire danger or other time-sensitive instructions. The city of Sterling’s emergency communications page describes the alerts as a tool for urgent public-safety notices, including missing child alerts.

The county pairs that warning system with other early-notification methods, including emergency vehicle PA systems, radio and cable override, and sirens. In its preparedness materials, Logan County says tornadoes are a possibility here and reminds families that disasters can bring injuries, property damage, loss of essential services and disruptions to community and business activity. County emergency planners also tell residents to have at least two meeting places and a single out-of-town contact, a basic step that becomes critical if family members are separated during a storm, fire or evacuation.

That warning emphasis comes with a practical caution. A nationwide CodeRED cyberattack in November 2025 affected Colorado counties and exposed subscriber data, including names, addresses and phone numbers in some places. Logan County says residents without computer access can contact the office for help signing up, underscoring the county’s push to make the system usable for older residents, rural households and anyone who may not check email often. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Logan County has 20,654 residents, 8,203 households, 18.1% under age 18 and 20.6% age 65 and older, a spread that makes reliable alerting especially important.

The recent history is hard to ignore. In June 2023, a tornado destroyed a home near Willard and severe thunderstorm and tornado warnings were issued throughout the evening. In February 2026, the Padroni fire spread quickly under winds up to 50 mph and forced people out of the way of danger. Logan County’s message is straightforward: sign up now, make sure alerts reach more than one device, and treat the warning system as part of daily preparedness, not something to think about after the sky turns dark.