Get The News About Your Weather - With A NOAA Weather Radio

Did you know there is a radio that broadcasts National Weather Service warnings and watches 24 hours a day - and warns you with an alarm of dangerous weather? It's true. It's called the NOAA Weather Radio network, and it's provided as a public service by the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The NOAA Weather Radio network has more than 480 stations in the 50 states and in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and U.S. Pacific Territories.

How does the radio work? National Weather Service forecasters provide routine weather programming all the time to help you plan. The radios also send out a special alarm tone to alert you to a life-threatening situation. Why is that important? Sometimes, weather can turn deadly very fast. Tornadoes are the best example. Tornadoes may strike when people are sleeping or unaware of the forecast. Tornadoes can be deadly if people cannot seek an appropriate shelter - like a basement or a in-house safe room. With the NOAA Weather Radio, you will be alerted to dangerous weather with time to take shelter.

NOAA Weather Radios broadcast more than just warning about natural hazards. They also broadcast warnings and information and technological disasters, such as chemical releases or oil spills.

Every house should have a NOAA Weather Radio - just the way all houses should have a smoke detector. They can be purchased at stores that sell electronics. Most run on batteries or have battery back-up. Be sure to take it with you when you travel or are out boating or camping.

Be weather-safe. Have a NOAA Weather Radio!