LIHU‘E — Seventy-seven percent of the telephones called during the county’s first test of its Connect-CTY system last Friday responded either via a live person or answering machine, according to a press release.

“We are very pleased with the high response rate we received on our initial test of Connect-CTY, and would like to encourage those who haven’t had a chance to sign for this free service to do so,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in the release. “In addition, residents or businesses whose published phone numbers have changed within the past year should call us and let us know what their current number if they would like to be notified during emergencies.

The mayor noted that the county plans to use the mass notification service to quickly inform its citizens about civil defense emergencies including: tsunamis; hurricanes; earthquakes; flash floods; and any other situation that could impact the safety, property, or welfare of residents and visitors.

Publicly available residential and business phones on Kaua’i are already included in the county’s Connect-CTY system, along with those who have signed up for the service.

Residents can also opt to be notified on additional phones, up to three per person is allowed, and/or via email, as well as indicate if they have a TTY/TDD device.

Those without Internet access can have their information added to the county database by calling 241-1800.

To register for Connect-CTY online, please log on to the county Web site, www.kauai.gov.