The recent floods in the Texas Hill Country have left dozens dead and many more missing. As the nation looks for answers, one life-saving tool is getting renewed attention: the NOAA Weather Radio. This small, affordable device broadcasts official warnings straight from the National Weather Service (NWS) — even in the middle of the night or when cell signals fail.
What is a NOAA weather radio?
A NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) is a special kind of radio that receives continuous weather alerts and warnings directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is designed to alert people to dangerous weather like flash floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes.
The radios are easy to use and pick up signals from nearby weather service transmitters, usually within a 40-mile range. Many models include battery backup, which means they still work during a power outage.
Why is it so important?
During the Texas floods, some people never received alerts because:
- It was late at night and they were asleep
- Their phones were on silent or out of battery
- Cell phone towers had spotty coverage in hilly areas
A NOAA Weather Radio doesn’t rely on cell service. It makes a loud alarm sound as soon as a warning is issued — no need to unlock a phone or refresh an app.
Experts say: Use it as a backup
Retired meteorologist Bart Hagemeyer, who worked at the NWS for 37 years, believes strongly in NOAA Weather Radios. He said that even when the warnings are sent out properly, lives are lost if people don’t receive them in time.
“Everyone should have at least two ways to get emergency warnings,” Hagemeyer said. “One of those should be a NOAA Weather Radio.”
Who should have one?
If you live in an area prone to:
- Flooding
- Tornadoes
- Hurricanes
- Severe storms
… then a NOAA Weather Radio is a must. This is especially true for:
- Campgrounds
- RV parks
- Outdoor venues
- Homes in rural or mountainous areas
Meteorologist Dave Jones added, “Every campground or RV park should have a working NOAA radio and a way to let guests know what’s happening. Some already use speaker systems — why not use them for weather warnings too?”
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Designed for urgency
When a National Weather Service forecaster presses the alert button, NOAA Weather Radios immediately broadcast the warning. That means no delay — and more time for people to take action.
In the Texas floods, the system was working. But many didn’t get the message in time. Experts say the disaster is a painful reminder that we must do better at reaching people in danger — and that includes using trusted tools like NOAA Weather Radio.
Don’t wait for the next storm
Weather is becoming more extreme. Floods, stronger storms, and heavier rainfall are now more common. But while we can’t stop nature, we can be better prepared.
A NOAA Weather Radio is cheap, simple, and could be the thing that saves your life or the lives of your loved ones.
Safety first means having every tool — and NOAA Weather Radio should be one of them.
