NOAA AND RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE TEAM TO GIVE KIDDER-LOGAN COUNTY AREA
NEW WEATHER WARNING SYSTEM

When severe weather threatens, residents of Kidder and Logan counties in North Dakota can now stay on top of storm activity with a direct link to forecasters provided by a weather transmitter located south of Interstate 94. NOAA Weather Radio, “The Voice of the NOAA National Weather Service,” is a live 24-hour source of weather forecasts and warnings broadcast directly from National Weather Service offices. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Rural Utilities Service is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The new transmitter was recently installed south of Dawson in Kidder County and is now broadcasting information from the Bismarck Weather Service Forecast Office, according to Meteorologist in Charge Jim Fors.

"This is a great success story for the community,” Fors said. Through the Rural Utilities Service grant program, BEK Communications Cooperative was able to purchase and donate this transmitter to the National Weather Service. We are very excited about what this means to the community and are extremely grateful to BEK Communications and USDA.

"This expansion significantly increases our ability to reach several rural communities directly with vital warnings. When you don’t have a radio or TV turned on, having a seven-band NOAA Weather Radio with an alarm helps you protect your family, yourself and your property.”

Fors said residents in Kidder, and Logan counties can tune in to 162.400 MHz for severe weather warnings and the latest forecasts.

“NOAA Weather Radio allows us to send weather statements and warnings straight from the forecaster to the public saving 5 to 10 minutes or more,” Fors said.

Fors said a dedication ceremony for the new transmitter will be held in Steele in late April or early May.

The NOAA Weather Radio network has more than 800 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. Pacific Territories.

Weather radios come in many sizes, with a variety of functions and costs. Some receivers automatically sound an alarm and turn themselves on if a severe weather warning is broadcast and can be programmed to warn for weather and civil emergencies in only your county. Most NOAA Weather Radio receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup. Some scanners, HAM radios, CB radios, short wave receivers, and AM/FM radios also are capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio transmissions. Weather radios can be purchased at many electronics stores.

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Net:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov

NOAA Weather Radio: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/index.html