What would you do if severe weather threatened your area?  Let's take a look at the possibilites.  First, what is severe weather?  Severe weather is defined as tornadoes, damaging thunderstorm winds in excess of 55 mph, and large hail 3/4 of an inch in diameter or larger.  Heavy flooding rains and lightning are technically not defined as severe weather; however, they can be and are deadly.

For the most up-to-date weather information, tune to NOAA Weather Radio frequency 162.55 mHz (Monroe area), your local TV stations, or other EAS outlet.  Sources of weather information have never been so readily available.  During the severe weather season, keep abreast of the weather situation on a daily basis.  It only takes a few moments for a weather briefing.  It could save your life.

Cannot say enough about this life saving device.  A NOAA weather radio is a device that monitors weather broadcasts 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing current weather conditions, forecasts, discussions, advisories, and severe weather watches or warnings.  Although weather radios come in a variety of styles, brand name is a personal choice for the consumer.  However, it is important that you do purchase one with a weather alert warning tone feature.

These radios receive a special signal from the National Weather Service (NWS) when a watch or warning is issued for a specific coverage area.  Upon reception of the signal, an alarm feature is activated on the radio.  Some radios sound an alarm or siren while others simply automatically switch from standby mode to audio mode.  This feature is especially important during the nighttime hours when most people are asleep.

Prices range from $35 to nearly $100 depending upon features.  However, a good weather radio with alert features can be purchased for $35 to $40 at nearby department stores such as K-Mart or Wal-Mart and electronics stores such as RadioShack.