- Not all weather radios are programmable. If you want to be able to
program your weather radio, look for a radio that has SAME (specific
area message encoding). This will let you select the counties you want
to be alerted for. More expensive radios will let you select what types
of messages you want to hear, but most radios do not have this feature.
Most multi-band radios that include am/fm radio, flashlights, TV sound,
etc do not have the warning alarm feature

- You should also look for a radio that has a battery back-up feature.
This will ensure the radio keeps working even if the power goes out.

- Some radios have additional features, like external antenna jacks and
jacks to connect external alerting devices for special needs groups,
like the hearing impaired (strobe lights, bed shakers, etc). If you live
in an area that is more distant from the closest weather radio
transmitter, or are in a building where radio reception is difficult, an
external antenna can be extremely helpful.

- Warnings are issued by counties by the National Weather Service.
Weather radios will alarm for a warning anywhere in the county. You
should pay attention to the text of the warning for storm location,
movement and towns in the path, or tune to local television for the most
detailed information on the storm.

- You can find county codes, transmitter specific coverage maps,
frequencies and lots of other information about weather radio at the
following website: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxradio/

- NWS tests the warning alarm feature every Wednesday around noon,
unless there is a threat of severe weather. This is the time to make
sure your radio is programmed correctly and that you can hear the alarm.
In the very near future, we will also begin testing the radio alarm
feature on Wednesday evenings. More information will be coming about
that next week.

- Weather radio is now truly an all hazards radio, with the capability
to broadcast emergency messages for non-weather events, from hazardous
materials incidents to civil emergencies and fire warnings. This
functionality will continue to expand in the coming months.

- Some counties are able to receive broadcasts from more than one
weather radio transmitter. You should be sure the transmitter you are
listening to provides warnings and information for your county, and that
you are monitoring the strongest available signal. To see which counties
are covered by which transmitter(s) visit this website... http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxradio/

Register your Storm Shelter with the
City of Perkins
Office of Emergency Management Here