FRANKLIN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT (FCEM)

NOAA Weather Radio

NOAA Weather Radio is a service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. As the "Voice of the National Weather Service, " it provides continuous 24 hour a day broadcasts of the latest area weather forecast information directly from the National Weather Service office. Taped weather messages are repeated every four to six minutes and are routinely revised every one to three hours, or more frequently if needed. The NOAA Weather Radio network broadcasts from over 400 FM transmitters across the country on seven frequencies in the VHF band, ranging from 162.40 to 162.55 MHz above the commercial FM band. 14 NOAA Weather Radio stations broadcast in Washington.

During severe weather, the National Weather Service can interrupt the routine weather broadcasts and air special flood, weather watch, warning or advisory messages. Specially designed warning receivers can be activated. Such receivers either sound an alarm indicating that an emergency exists, alerting the listener to turn the receiver up to an audible volume; or, when operated in a muted mode, are automatically turned on so that the warning message is heard. "Warning alarm" receivers are especially valuable for homes, businesses, schools, hospitals, public-safety agencies, and news media offices.

Under a January 1975 white House policy statement, NOAA Weather Radio was designated the sole government operated radio system to provide direct warning information into private homes and businesses for both natural and nuclear attack. This includes hazardous conditions that pose a threat to life and safety, both at a local and national level.

NOAA weather Radio is considered an "all hazards" warning system. Through federal, state, or local officials, the warning alarm can be used in case of the following:

• High Wind/Marine Storm Warning
• Marine Gale Warning
• Flood Warning
• Flash Flood Watch/Warning
• Tidal Flood Warning
• Winter Storm Warning
• Snow Advisory for Puget Sound
• Blizzard Warning
• Severe Thunderstorm Watch/Warning
• Tornado Watch/Warning
• Tsunami Watch/Warning
• Volcanic Activity
• Enemy Attack
• Nuclear Accident
• Other Hazardous Events
  

Weather Radios comes in many sizes and with a variety of functions. Pocket radios can be used for outdoor activities, or carried on family trips. To purchase a weather radio check with stores where electronics are sold. A weather radio can give you the kind of information that is needed to safeguard yourself and your home during a disaster.