All-hazards RADIOS

A weather alert radio provides timely information broadcast by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio about severe weather and other dangerous conditions and forecasts for our area.

The National Weather Service broadcasts weather forecasts and severe weather watches and warnings 24 hours a day over this specialized radio network. A watch means that potentially life-threatening weather is heading toward our area. A warning means that potentially life-threatening weather is imminent or is already occurring.

NOAA Weather Radio is an all-hazards system, providing watches and warnings for such incidents as floods, tornadoes, oil spills, 911 telephone outages, and terrorist and AMBER alerts, as well as post-event information. The weather alert radio system is tested weekly on Wednesdays by the National Weather Service between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm.

FCEM&HS and FEMA recommend that every home and business have a NOAA Weather Radio for around-the-clock reports and that the batteries are replaced at least once a year.

Weather alert radios are available at most electronics stores and many major retailers at prices ranging from $20 to $200.