AUSTIN (KXAN) – Severe weather could happen at any point throughout the year. From storms to tornadoes, flooding and freezing, each season brings its own challenges.
The First Warning Weather Team always encourages everyone to have multiple ways to receive weather notifications, especially when active weather is possible. Weather radios can be one of many crucial tools for receiving timely alerts during emergencies.
Weather radios provide alerts directly from the National Weather Service, offering faster and more reliable information than smartphones, according to Caileigh Peterson, radio safety specialist with weather radio manufacturer Midland.
“We always encourage people to have multiple redundant ways of receiving alerts,” Peterson said. “As soon as the National Weather Service or a local emergency manager issues an alert, that will come through your weather and emergency radio.”
Weather radios can receive different types of alerts, including hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, and even Amber Alerts. These alerts can be programmed to focus on specific counties, ensuring localized information.
For those who are frequently on the move or expecting to be in areas with weak cell signal, there are portable emergency alert radios and walkie-talkies equipped with weather alerts and scan features. These devices are suitable for activities like hiking and camping, as well as during evacuations.
There are also accessibility options for the deaf or hard of hearing. These attachments deliver alerts through visual and tactile means.
“When the NWS issues a watch or warning of any kind, that’ll sound or shake, or it’ll have a beam of light from the strobe light. Not only does it read the information across the screen, but it also says it out loud,” Peterson said.
All facts from this article were gathered by KXAN journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KXAN staff. Read about our approach to using AI tools.
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