Hurricane and tornado season is upon us in certain parts of the USA. It has been predicted that this year will be more hurricanes and tornadoes than last year. Are you prepared to be alerted to the warnings? Do you have an emergency plan for when you receive these alerts? Have you checked the batteries in your emergency alerts? Have you tested the systems to be sure they are functioning?
What do you do to learn about tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms in your area? If you are deaf or hard of hearing the usual methods may not provide what you need to know. It can be very frustrating at the least, and dangerous too, if you are unable to know when to prepare for storms. Cable TV, Radio and the internet are some ways to be alerted to these storms. But these don’t always help with varying degrees of hearing loss, and they are useless if the electricity goes out. Fortunately, there are devices and systems available that will alert you to these warnings.
National Weather Service office: NWR is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby NWR broadcasts warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day.
Known as the "Voice of NOAA's National Weather Service," NWR is provided by the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This requires a special radio receiver or scanner capable of picking up the signal. Broadcasts are found in the public service band at seven frequencies (MHz):
Basically these radios give off a signal alerting you to the warnings. A simple text message such as TORNADO is also displayed. But if you are deaf or hard of hearing how you can hear this signal?
These radios have outputs to which you can add bed shakers, strobe lights, flashing lights, adjustable volume tones, personal comport and text printers. This will alert you along with the audible radio signal.
You can also use wireless transmitters and receivers to extend the alerts throughout your house.
Even more flexibility: These radios can also be hooked up to your existing alerts used around your house. Once you receive these alerts you can go to your local TV or radio station to learn more.
So even if your electricity is out you can be alerted to weather alerts by using a Weather radio. But you should also have an evacuation plan to act upon the alert.
To find a list of specific radios, emergency alerting devices, excellent Q & A and/or purchase them please go here:
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/special_need.htm
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