As the Ark-La-Tex prepares for the changing season, the Code Red alert system in Texarkana, Arkansas and Texas is getting an upgrade.

Residents can now sign up to receive winter weather warnings.

Code Red has been providing the twin cities weather warnings since 2005.

The system gives residents a "heads up" during tornadoes, flash floods and thunderstorms and now they're offering advanced warnings for winter storms.

"Anytime you have the opportunity receive information about what's going on, I believe information is power," said Captain shawn Vaughn, Emergency Communications.

Vaughn says even if you already registered for code red, you still have to sign up again to receive the winter weather alerts.

"Winter warnings are only delivered by either text or email," said Vaughn.

Emergency communications network provides the Code Red system to Texarkana. Nearly 80,000 area phone numbers are currently in the system.

The Code Red system upgrade comes at no additional cost to the cities' and counties.'

Vaughn says Code Red helps give residents extra time to prepare if a storm does moves into the region.

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Code Red Alert System upgraded in Texarkana