| Previously we provided information on what | | | | time of the alert. |
| weather radios are and their purpose. This article | | | | Watches and warnings are broadcast based on |
| pertains to how weather radios work. Once you | | | | weather conditions in your area that may be |
| have selected a radio that fits your needs, you | | | | worth watching or paying attention to, or by |
| need to learn how it works. Most radios have a | | | | taking emergency shelter in the event of a |
| power cord that you can plug into the wall to | | | | warning. Many watches are based on radar |
| operate the radio. They all have or should have | | | | conditions and weather forecasts that the local |
| battery backup in the event of a power failure or | | | | NWS office is monitoring. In the event of a |
| if it is a portable radio that you can carry with | | | | warning (tornado, flash flood, or severe |
| you. These radios broadcast weather information | | | | thunderstorm) the information may be obtained |
| on seven channels or frequencies throughout the | | | | by what the forecaster sees on doppler radar or |
| US. By reviewing the FIPS codes you can find the | | | | live reports from trained weather spotters or local |
| closest tower that transmits in your area. Afer | | | | emergency personnel. If the the NWS issues |
| you find that frequency you should hear a | | | | some type of watch for your area you should be |
| continuous broadcast for your area. If the radio | | | | aware that conditions are possible for that type |
| has S.A.M.E. technology as we discussed in the | | | | of weather. If they issue a warning you should |
| previous article (and it should) you need to | | | | follow the instructions the forecaster gives via the |
| program it. You can program your county, several | | | | weather radio which may involve taking shelter |
| adjacent counties, or all counties in the coverage | | | | immediately in the event of a tornado or move |
| area. The instruction book along with the FIPS | | | | to a safer location in the event of flooding. More |
| codes will allow you to do this. | | | | people are killed in the US by floods that any |
| In the event of an emergency in the county or | | | | other weather event. These watches and |
| counties you have programmed the radio will | | | | warnings should be taken seriously and you should |
| sound an alert tone followed by the weather | | | | have a plan for immediate action in the event of |
| watch or warning along with pertinent information | | | | a warning. |
| concerning actions that you should take at the | | | | |