Weather Radio Awareness Month
Time To Review Personal Preparedness
Release Date: August 30, 1999
Release Number: R10-99-52
Seattle, Wash. -- September is "Weather Radio Awareness Month" in Washington State - an opportunity for emergency managers at all levels to promote NOAA weather radios as an integral item in all family, individual, and business emergency preparedness kits. According to Washington Office of Emergency Management Director Glen Woodbury, the goal is to make weather radios as common as smoke alarms in homes and businesses throughout the state.
"Weather radios have long been a staple of storm-prone communities," said Woodbury. "We'd like to educate all Washingtonians to appreciate their broader applications as early warning for nearly all disasters, ranging from flood and weather-related events, to wildfire, volcanic activity, and snow storms....even chemical releases. They are a must for any disaster preparedness kit."
Ted Buehner, NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist in Seattle agrees. "Weather radios are part of an 'all-hazards warning system,' and make a lot of sense, for a lot of reasons," said Buehner. "They're battery operated, so they can be relied on during periods of power failure, are equipped with alarm features that signal fast-breaking weather or flood warnings 24-hours a day, and are integrated into the national Emergency Alert System. And at the cost of a pair of shoes, its hard to imagine more affordable peace of mind."
Last Modified: Friday, 09-Jan-2004 15:56:46