CATALINA ISLAND GETS NEW WEATHER WARNING SYSTEM

With severe weather always a threat, residents of Santa Catalina Island or mariners and visitors can now stay on top of potential storm activity with a direct link to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NOAA National Weather Service) forecasters. NOAA is part of the Department of Commerce.

A new NOAA Weather Radio transmitter was installed at Buena Vista Point above the city of Avalon and is now broadcasting local weather and emergency information from the Los Angeles NOAA National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, according to Meteorologist in Charge Dan Keeton.

"Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utility Service grant program, the city of Avalon 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 city of Avalon and the USDA for awarding the grant," Keeton said.

According to Vickie Nadolski, NOAA National Weather Service Western Region director, "This expansion significantly increases our ability to reach this part of Southern California directly with vital warnings. The Avalon transmitter will help the residents, commercial and recreational mariners as well as visitors to this area to get the most current weather information via the weather radio.”

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

NOAA National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Tim McClung, 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 Avalon, as well as mariners within the San Pedro Channel, can tune in to dedicated service on 162.525 MHz. for the broadcasts.”

According to Avalon Harbor Master Brian Bray, “The City of Avalon is excited to have a dedicated weather radio transmitter capable of broadcasting weather and civil emergency threats and exclusive marine weather information for the Catalina Island vicinity. It has been a pleasure working with the NOAA National Weather Service on this very important project to meet critical needs of local residents and mariners alike.”

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