Weather can be serious business and preparation helps save lives. Extreme weather conditions can happen in any season and sometimes weather hazards can blow up in a matter of minutes. St. Louis, Missouri was struck by several massive tornadoes in a matter of 20 minutes when the weather warning went from a simple watch to an extreme weather emergency.
Weather radios can save lives, but you do need to spend a minimal amount to buy the radio and make sure it's powered during the day and night. Nighttime tornadoes can be particularly damaging, due to the difficulty in spotting potential cloud formations and spouts.
Hand-held portable weather radios fit in the hand and operate by the car electricity jack or by battery power. The radios look like small walkie talkies and transmit signals throughout the country.
The radio costs just under $50, without the car charger and can be programmed to pick up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Weather Service transmissions from any radio tower.
Home-model weather radios have the same capabilities as the portable units. The advantages with the regular model is the system can be set to one transmission tower and forgotten. The best model radios use ordinary household current to operate and also have a battery backup, should the house power fail.
Home-model weather radios cost anywhere from $25 to $100. No need to buy a fancy model. The low-unit accomplishes the basic function. If you want a bit of glamour to the box, go for the upgrade. Many communities offer rebates for residents buying a weather radio as part of a federal emergency notification program. Some towns buy the boxes and sell them at cost, while other communities require residents to bring in a receipt showing the purchase and a partial rebate is given on the town utility bill.
Some towns offer free radios as part of a federal early warning system for people living in mobil homes or manufactured housing, since these housing designs have higher incidents of damage during wind and storms. The elderly may also receive a free weather radio under local programs. Contact your local police or fire department to inquire about local programs in your area.
Some areas have access to the all weather stations, part of the NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, also known as the NWR, network. The service provides watches, warnings, weather forecasts, and any other local hazards, such as flooding. The stations broadcast 24 hours a day on seven days throughout the week.
Chemical spills, toxic air releases and winter avalanche risks are also covered by the service. AMBER alerts are also transmitted by the radio service.
The NOAA Weather Radio operates 1000 transmitters in all 50 states so that your car radio is able to pick up the reporting on the VHF public service band at seven different radio frequencies, including 162.400 through 162.550.
In small communities, the NOAA Weather Radio reports may be broadcast directly to channels carrying the local news. In larger towns, the news programs take over the reporting duties using the information from the NOAA Weather Radio Reports.
Many cable services dedicate one channel to a visual from a weather service and a live feed from the NOAA Weather Radio. The live reporting helps people identify new weather fronts and possible hazards.
Coming back with another h5
An important list for anyone living in tornado country. Hurricanes, snowstorms and other weather events can be predicted and planned for. Not so with tornadoes.
Awesome list! h5!
Great list!
This is a good list of radios. Enjoy the front page.
Good information!
When your iPhone or Blackberry no longer receive signals, the small, battery-powered radio still gives you updates about severe weather. Anyone living in an area with weather should have one!
Thanks for the comments! I'm still here. I just haven't contributed many lists lately, but I do have a some interesting lists I'm researching.
I knew Izzy did not write anymore, but did not know she completely left the LM5 community. Good list and a pleasure to read her list. Congratulations on the front page spot,my friend!
Izzy is no longer an active member of our community. But this is an informative list, worthy of HI5.
Great list!
Great and timely article. H5 and congrats!
Great list of radios for Weather emergencies. Great job.
Awesome list!
Good list of 5.
Nice list!
select one here...