Let me ask you something: If a life-threatening weather warning came through in the middle of the night, would you hear it?
An Honest Question About Your Safety:
Most of us keep our phones on “Do Not Disturb” while we sleep. That means emergency alerts (even the loud ones) will not get through. And even if your phone isn’t silenced, what happens if the power goes out and you lose internet or cell service? That warning will never reach you.
The truth is, the severe weather we’ve faced in recent years, tornadoes, hurricanes, and flooding, has been relentless and deadly. It’s not enough to hope we’ll be lucky. We have to be prepared.
Here’s what I’m asking:
When there’s a threat of severe weather overnight, take your phone off “Do Not Disturb.”
Whether you get your updates from KPRC 2 on TV or through our weather app, stay aware of what’s heading your way. The weather here in southeast Texas is serious. We can’t afford to ignore it.
There’s also another option, one that’s been saving lives for 50 years. The NOAA Weather Radio works when other systems fail. Even if the power is out and cell towers go down, your radio will still alert you to dangerous weather.
Here’s how it works:
Place the radio anywhere in your room and plug it in. It runs on batteries if the power goes out. When there’s a life-threatening warning, a loud alarm sounds followed by the information you need. If there are no warnings, it stays silent.
There are even accessories for those who are hard of hearing, a strobe light and something called a pillow shaker, which vibrates your pillow to alert you to danger.
I put together a quick video to show how it works. Take a look and consider adding one more layer of protection for you and your family.
We live in a part of the country where the weather is real and sometimes, it’s dangerous. That’s why having a NOAA Weather Radio isn’t just a nice extra. It’s peace of mind for when the power goes out, the internet goes down, or your phone just isn’t enough.
Before smartphones became computers in our pockets, KPRC 2 used to hand out NOAA Weather Radios at Wal-Mart as part of our community outreach. Those events were always a highlight, getting to meet our viewers, talk weather, and help families stay safe.
You can still find NOAA Weather Radios at places like Wal-Mart or sporting goods stores. The one I use is the Midland WR120B. Every time I attend a weather conference, the folks from Midland are there, and they always remind me, this is still one of the most reliable ways to receive severe weather alerts.
No matter what device or method you use, please make sure you have some way to get warnings when severe weather threatens. And just as important, have a plan. Know what to do when you get that alert.
Because around here, it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the issue with the NOAA signal in Galveston. KPRC 2’s Robert Arnold did a story on the problem with warnings for Galveston. [You can read it here.]
