Wednesday, May 1, is NOAA weather radio awareness day and in an emergency — if power is out and cell towers down — you’ll still receive life-saving alerts

Do you know why a weather radio should be considered an important piece of your family’s emergency safety plan? Over-the-air radio, like Civic Media’s local stations, is committed to bringing you the news and weather important to your community. You can also receive this information through our app on your smart phone. But if the power is out, cell towers are down, or your phone battery is dead, a weather radio is another source to receive those important alerts.

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, provides continuous weather information directly from your nearest National Weather Service Office. It’s a 24-hour emergency source, and thanks to its battery back-up, it is a reliable way to receive weather alerts and information about a storm, tornado, or flood in your area.  

Ready Wisconsin refers to NOAA Weather Radios as a “smoke detector for severe weather and hazardous conditions.”

Here are four reasons to consider adding one to your safety plan:

• Weather radios include an alarm and battery back-up so you will never miss an alert, whether you are inside or outside
• The alarm will wake you up during severe weather and give you and your family time to seek shelter
• A weather radio is a source for all hazards including environmental, like a chemical release or oil spill, along with public safety, which may be an AMBER alert or 911 Telephone outage.
• Weather radios can be adapted to meet special needs with adaptations for those who are sight or hearing impaired.