Hundreds stay informed on weather news by receiving Southeast Missourian text alerts

Hundreds of Southeast Missouri cell phone users took advantage of Southeast Missourian text alerts to keep abreast of weather-related news Monday.

Text alerts first started going out Sunday evening to bring readers the latest on weather advisories. By late Monday afternoon, following the first round of ice, the Southeast Missourian had sent more than two dozen text alerts about school closings, traffic reports and weather updates.

Several schools have partnered with the Southeast Missourian to bring news about school closings directly to consumers via text messages at no extra cost to cell phone users. Other schools are considering using the service as well. Users are able to sign up for their schools' groups at the newspaper's website, semissourian.com.

"People are finding this service useful," said editor Bob Miller. "We saw a 6 percent jump in text subscribers on Monday alone. I think it's great that we can help people avoid traffic situations."

People may sign up for text alerts at semissourian.com/textalerts. Standard text rates apply, but there is no extra cost for the service. Text users can also sign up for sports scores and other categories.

In addition to text alerts, comprehensive weather information was also updated at semissourian.com, including school closings, links to radar, accident reports, and blogs and stories about the weather.

Readers are also encouraged to share their weather photos and stories at semissourian.com.

-- Southeast Missourian