BROADUS, MONTANA AREA GETS NEW WEATHER WARNING SYSTEM

With severe weather always threatening, residents of Broadus, Mont., can now stay on top of storm activity with a direct link to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NOAA National Weather Service) forecasters. NOAA Weather Radio, “The Voice of the National Weather Service,” is a live 24-hour source of weather forecasts and warnings broadcast directly from the NOAA National Weather Service offices. NOAA is part of the Department of Commerce.

A new NOAA weather radio transmitter was installed at Broadus, and is now broadcasting local weather and emergency information from the Billings NOAA National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, according to Meteorologist-in-Charge Keith Meier.

“Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service grant program, the Powder River County Commission 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 the Powder River County Commissioners, to the Mid Rivers Telephone Cooperative for donating tower space, and the USDA for awarding the grant,” Meier said. NOAA National Weather Service is paying for the power.

“This expansion significantly increases our ability to reach this southeastern Montana area directly with vital warnings. The Broadus transmitter is located in the county seat of Powder River County. This will help the residents, ranchers and visitors to this area to get the most current weather information via the weather radio,” he said.

NOAA National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist James Scarlett, added, “When you don’t have a regular radio or TV turned on, having a seven band NOAA Weather Radio with an alarm helps you protect your family, yourself and your property. Residents in and around Broadus, including those in Powder River and Carter Counties, can tune in to 162.425 MHz. for the broadcasts.”

“NOAA Weather Radio allows us to send weather statements and warnings straight from the forecaster to the public in an effort to save lives and property, often saving 5 to 10 minutes or more,” said Scarlett.

Dave Lancaster, disaster and emergency services coordinator for Powder River County, said, “NOAA Weather Radio has the potential to make a big difference in protecting lives and property in Powder River County. You can't stop mother nature, but with more warning, you can prepare.”

The NOAA Weather Radio network has over 750 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 Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

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