NOAA Weather Radio: Proven, Effective, and Still Growing

Since its debut more than fifty years ago, NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) has disseminated tens of thousands of watches and warnings, saving countless lives and allowing citizens to protect billions of dollars worth of property from hail, wind, fire, and water. Comprising 1,015 transmitters in all 50 states and territories NWR reaches 98% of the US population with a free, official broadcast from each local National Weather Service office. Referred to as "indoor tornado sirens" or "smoke detectors for storms", weather radios are used by millions of families and businesses, providing reliable protection 24/7/365. Ubiquitous in the traditional "tornado alley", weather radios are less common in other areas of the United States. Hurricane Sandy provided a wake-up call to millions of Americans who assumed newer devices, services, and apps would prove superior to the tried-and-true NWR Network. The tragic under-performance of some of these services has re-focused attention on a legacy warning system that can instantaneously alert millions of people with official weather and non-weather-related bulletins. NWR saves lives!