COWLITZ AND CLARK COUNTIES GET NEW NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTER

Washington’s Cowlitz and Clark County residents now have access to weather information anytime thanks to a new NOAA Weather Radio transmitter, recently installed on Davis Peak near Woodland.

The new transmitter, a cooperative effort between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and PacifiCorp, gives southwest Washington residents and visitors a direct link to NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland, Ore. Residents of Cowlitz and Clark Counties can tune into162.525 MHz on the weather radios for the broadcasts effective today. NOAA Weather Radio, known as “The Voice of the National Weather Service,” is a live 24-hour source of the latest weather forecasts and warnings broadcast directly from nearby NWS forecast offices.

Steve Todd, the meteorologist in charge of the Portland NWS office, said, “This partnership by PacifiCorp and NOAA’s National Weather Service brings vital weather services to people in an area that has been without this capability for many years.”

Through partnership with PacifiCorp, costs were shared for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of this transmitter.

Todd added, “Citizens can now have weather information available at their fingertips any time of the day or night.” The Davis Peak transmitter significantly increases the NWS ability to reach communities directly with vital weather warnings. A seven band NOAA Weather Radio in the car, truck or in the home helps protect families, individuals and property. You don’t have to have a radio or television turned to hear about changing weather patterns.

Bill Eaquinto, PacifiCorp vice president for hydro licensing, said, “People in Woodland and in Clark and Cowlitz Counties have asked for additional means for information about developing river status when weather causes high-runoff conditions. NOAA Weather Radio can give a complete picture of river conditions that often develop during bad weather.” Eaquinto said that the company is very pleased to join with the National Weather Service on this important project for the community.

PacifiCorp, which operates three hydro-electric projects on the North Fork of the Lewis River in both counties, has worked with a flood-management committee staffed by community members as a means of addressing communication concerns during high-runoff events as part of its Lewis River licensing process.

“NOAA Weather Radio programming is an excellent application for the Lewis River Basin and its unique circumstances,” said Eaquinto. “Completion of weather radio installation and maintenance costs is part of the company’s licensing process.”

Tyree Wilde, the warning coordination meteorologist at the Portland office, said, “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 five to 10 minutes or more.”

NOAA Weather Radio provides weather information, during natural or man-made disasters, and can be used to place safety information directly on the airwaves via the new transmitter to directly alert the public to take protective actions. It will also provide a quick avenue for notification during an AMBER Alert situation.”

The NOAA Weather Radio network has over 825 transmitters, covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and U.S. Pacific Territories.

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

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 National Weather Service: http://www.weather.gov.

NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office in Portland:

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/Portland

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