(BARTOW – October 16, 2009) – Although we may be nearing the end of hurricane season, now is the time to be preparing you and your family—before disaster strikes. An El Nino condition is predicted and could lead to more unstable weather than normal in the upcoming months, so there is a continued need for alerts.
The Polk County Emergency Management Division urges residents to purchase and use a NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Weather Radio. Much like a smoke alarm, this inexpensive device emits an audible alarm warning (may also contain strobe light) to wake you when a warning is issued. They also contain battery powered backups in the event of a power outage.
These all weather radios provide you with specific information from the National Weather Service or emergency management officials about the impending threat. These may be programmed to receive only those warnings that apply to Polk County. In addition, the NOAA Weather Radio is an All Hazards public alert device that can relay non-weather related emergency messages, such as hazardous material warnings and other types of civil emergencies.
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards broadcasts are provided as a public service by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Weather Service. Radios may be purchased from many retail outlets, catalogs and direct from the manufacturer via the internet. Costs range from $20-$200.
For more information on weather radios, visit www.nws.noaa.gov. For all hazard preparation tips for you and your family, visit, www.polk-county.net. Remember, hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.
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