I am not sure if it is just me, or is there more severe weather than there used to be? Around these parts, we have had several storms come through that have caused a lot of damage or injuries. In the last year alone we have had:

1. Flooding (several instances, at least four people were killed)
2. A possible tornado (not confirmed by the NWS, one person was killed)
3. Two people struck by lightning (one fatality)
4. A few strong winter storms

Not to mention the severe thunder storms that blow up out of nowhere. This is a worrisome development for me because we live quite far away from the local emergency services.

Rather than rely on emergency service to deal with the after math, a better plan seems to be staying informed and taking necessary action to protect ourselves. To that end, I purchased a SAME (specific area messaging) weather radio and outdoor antenna. The national weather service operates a NOAA weather radio station about 15 miles away in Highland, NY. I figure I can at least get weather warnings in a timely manner. As Barbie points out, most local radio stations suck, and they have a dubious reputation for sending out warnings hours late, when the sun is back a-shining again.

My particular weather radio is a Midland WR-300 which seems to have all the needed features.

I will need to put up an outdoor antenna, as the Shawangunk Ridge imposes itself between the transmitter site and our house. The last weather radio did not function well on the indoor antenna alone.

Popularity: 4% [?]