NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards Broadcast Service Comes to American Samoa

NOAA WEATHER RADIO – ALL HAZARDS BROADCAST SERVICE COMES TO AMERICAN SAMOA

The NOAA National Weather Service Office in Pago Pago, American Samoa, in cooperation with the government of American Samoa, commissioned a NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards transmitter on Sept. 24. American Samoa can now receive NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards broadcasts which are available in all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Pacific Territories. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

When severe weather conditions are expected, notification of these conditions will be generated by the Pago Pago WSO and transmitted directly to NWR receivers. This system allows the WSO to send weather statements and warnings straight from the forecaster to the public.

Through a memorandum of agreement between the National Weather Service Pacific Region and the Governor of American Samoa, funding was provided by the Department of Homeland Security to procure NWR transmitters and related equipment to establish an Emergency Alert System capable NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards broadcast for the territory of American Samoa.

“This means the people of American Samoa now have access to the potentially life-saving broadcasts from NOAA Weather Radio regardless of the threat,” said Jeff LaDouce, director of the National Weather Service Pacific Region. “NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards service in American Samoa is yet another example of how the Territory of American Samoa is using partnerships with local and federal agencies to benefit all Samoa residents.”

“The new NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards broadcast will help us receive timely information on potentially disastrous weather events, such as flood conditions, tsunamis, hurricanes, and once EAS equipment is procured and installed, it will allow emergency management information to flow easily to all media outlets and reach all of American Samoa, thus meeting our Homeland Security requirements,” said Birdie Ala’ilima, American Samoa Homeland Security director.

“The NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards broadcasts will significantly increase our ability to reach our community directly with critical warnings,” said Toafa Vaiaga’e, director, Territorial Emergency Management Coordinating Office. “This increases a layer of protection for our residents, now that NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards receivers with an alarm will promptly warn of impending threats to our families and their properties.”

Residents on the island of Tutuila can tune in to 162.40 MHz (Weather Channel 2) to hear the NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards broadcasts. The system works in most parts of the island, depending on the immediate terrain between the transmitter and the receiver. Plans are taking shape to extend coverage to all of American Samoa.

The NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards network has more than 900 stations, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and U.S. Pacific territories. There are eight NOAA Weather Radio transmitters in the Hawaiian Islands, Guam, and Saipan. Some NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards receivers automatically sound an alarm and turn on if a severe weather warning, or civil emergency, is broadcast in a specific area. Most NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup. Some scanners, HAM radios, CB radios, short wave receivers and marine VHF radios also are capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards transmissions.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA’s Weather Service operates the most advanced weather warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through research to better understand weather and climate-related events and to manage wisely the nation's coastal and marine resources.

Note To Editors: On Sept 29, 2004, at 1:40 p.m., Governor Togiola T.A. Tulafono will visit the National Weather Service Office in Pago Pago, and inspect the NOAA Weather Radio – All Hazards capabilities. Reporters are welcome to stop by for interviews - please call Akapo Akapo at (684) 699-9130.