Take the next step for early storm warnings
Take the next step for early warnings
Members need receivers to hear Weather Radio warnings
Ten years ago rural people in the path of a tornado like those in March might have had no warning that they were in harm’s way.
That’s changing today. Nearly the entire state can receive early warnings from Weather Radio transmitters with weather radios.
These radios are the best investment you can make in ensuring your family’s safety should another round of killer storms strike the state.
Weather Radios differ from normal radios, which also carry warnings of tornados and other storms. With a normal AM or FM radio receiver or television set, the unit has to be on before you will get the warning. Weather Radio receivers are designed to signal an alarm whether they are on or off. Some models can even switch from entertainment to weather warnings automatically.
These receivers can wake you up in the middle of the night or get your attention during the day, when an unexpected storm could sneak up on rural residents outside the range of city sirens. They can be programmed to only sound alerts for dangers in the immediate area, unlike earlier models that often sounded alerts from distant counties.
Once the alert is sounded, the receivers switch to programming from the National Weather Service that explains the danger and gives the forecast.
The receivers are relatively inexpensive and can be found at hardware stores, Radio Shack and many electric cooperative offices. There are models that run on batteries, work as an alarm clock and double as an FM radio.
Buy one today and get it programmed for your location as soon as possible. You’ll sleep better knowing Weather Radio is watching out for you. Rest assured, the piercing alert will wake you in time to take cover should Iowa once again face nature’s wrath.