Real-Life Examples of How Emergency Radios Save Lives

The Internet, television and radio might be handy sources. But what if the electrical grid were down and you didn't have access to them?

A National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) radio could give you the details you'd need to make an informed decision as to whether to flee or take shelter.

These radios broadcast continuous weather information directly from National Weather Service offices across the country. They can help give you timely forecasting to stay informed on a developing or incoming storms that can very well save your life.

Ron DeWaters is a NOAA Weather radio engineer. He says combining a weather radio with research and an action plan is the key. It allows people to increase their chances of surviving deadly weather.

"Being disaster-ready is more than just knowing what to do in case of a storm," he said.

"Radio receivers provide early warning. And increase lead time to alert families of changes in the weather and emergencies in their area."

NOAA Weather Radio has been around for 60-plus years. It has been credited with saving thousands of lives.

It's actually a nationwide network of radio stations. They have more than 1,000 transmitters covering all 50 states. Plus U.S. territories.

FEMA estimates that weather radios provide as much as eight minutes warning. That allows people to move family members and pets to a secure location.

These emergency weather reports are the same ones meteorologists and emergency personnel use.

NOAA Weather Radio issues watches, warnings, and post-event information that have proven time and time again to save lives. Here are a few real world examples.

Larry was camping in northern Wisconsin some 10 years ago. He heard a severe weather broadcast on his emergency radio and warned neighboring campers.

As a tornado approached, four adults and a dog took shelter under a 2,000-pound picnic bench. They prepared it with a tarp to keep rain off them.

"Trees started coming down all around us," Larry said. Including one tree that temporarily pinned him to the ground.

Thirty minutes of hard rain and high winds later, three of the adults and the dog crawled out unharmed. Larry spent a week in the hospital with his injuries. But if it hadn't been for the emergency weather radio warning, "we'd be dead," Larry said.

Not too long ago, a man in Wooster, Ohio heard on his emergency radio that an F2 tornado was in the area. His location was out of the range of warning sirens.

"I have a weather radio and pay close attention to it," he said. "I went to listen to it and thought we might be in the path.

"I looked out the front door and there it was, throwing my neighbor's barn in the air and coming toward me.

"I got my wife and daughter, along with our cat. Then proceeded to a basement storage room where we covered ourselves with some moving blankets.

"Never have I been so frightened. Thank God we are survivors. We now appreciate NOAA weather radio in a whole new way."

A number of years ago, an F2 tornado touched down five miles southwest of Paris, Tennessee.

A manufacturing plant employee had heard the tornado warning over NOAA Weather Radio 13 minutes earlier.

"I got on the public address system and made the announcement to head to the storm shelters," John said. "There was a good 10 minutes to spare."

About 250 employees were huddled in the plant's pre-designated safety areas. That kept them from harm when the roof blow off.

An 87-year-old woman in Woodward, Oklahoma learned from her emergency radio that a tornado was approaching.

Wilma Nelson had been listening to this radio for several days. It was predicting that violent weather could be imminent.

Fortunately, Wilma had prepared a closet for just such an occasion. She got in it and rode out the storm safely.

Her granddaughter-in-law later said warnings issued by the National Weather Service saved lives.

From tornados to winter storms, none of us really know when extreme weather might be putting our lives in danger. It's up to us to protect ourselves and our families.

That's why many people are putting control back in their hands by owning an emergency weather radio.

Our top recommendation is the Liberty Band Emergency Solar Radio.

This revolutionary solar device weighs only 1lb. and allows you to stay connected to the outside world. Built with 12 life-saving functions, you can get national weather alerts, standard AM/FM/SW channels, a personal power bank AND an ultra-bright LED flashlight... using ONLY the power of the sun.

Plus, you can also (hand) crank it up or use your backup AAA-supply if the sun's not shining as bright that day.

Just hear the peace of mind it gave Kevin R.: "I got this about a week before Hurricane Irma hit and I am so thankful that I did. It worked great, gave me updates, and when the power went out, I was able to charge my phone and listen to music. The flashlight built into it was an added bonus."

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