BELLA VISTA (KFSM) -- Although most cities don't require homeowners to have a storm shelter, if you do have one, it may be a good idea to get it registered.
The Bella Vista fire department is urging residents to register their storm shelters so that emergency personnel know where the shelters are located in case of an emergency.
If there's damage in a particular area, they can look at that area on a map to determine whether those residents have a shelter. Some of these shelters are built inside garages, and if a building is collapsed, emergency responders want to be able to remove the downed material so folks can get out of their shelter safely.
"This is the stormy season and I would just like for people to be aware," said Stephen Sims, Bella Vista fire chief. "Pay attention to the radios. Pay attention to the TV. If you don't have a weather alert radio, get an alert radio."
The fire department is having people call in to register their storm shelters, they'll then put those addresses into the dispatch system.