NEW NOAA WEATHER RADIO SITE BROADCASTING IN REEDSPORT

NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office in Medford, in cooperation with Douglas County, installed a NOAA Weather Radio repeater near Reedsport on February 21st . Listeners can now receive NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) All-Hazards broadcasts at 162.525 MHz. The call sign is WZ-2509. The Reedsport repeater broadcasts identical land and marine observations, forecasts, and warnings that are already being broadcast on the Coos Bay transmitter.

This repeater will enhance the severe weather readiness of Douglas County, and promote the NWS StormReady/TsunamiReady program. Douglas County was recognized as StormReady/TsunamiReady on February 20th .

This project was the result of agency cooperation between U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, who provided the grant money for this project, Douglas County who acted as the grant recipient and project management, and the National Weather Service. The communities of Winchester Bay, Reedsport and Gardiner provided support during grant development. This project is an example of what community and intergovernmental cooperation can produce.

When severe weather is expected, notification of these conditions will be generated by the NWS Medford Office and transmitted directly to NWR receivers. This system allows the NWS to send weather statements and warnings straight from the forecaster to the public.

The NWR All-Hazards network has more than 985 stations, with twenty- five stations in Oregon. Most NWR All-Hazards receivers automatically sound an alarm and turn on if a severe weather warning, or civil emergency, is broadcast in a specific area. Most NWR All-Hazards receivers are either battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup. Some scanners, HAM radios, CB radios, short wave receivers and marine VHF radios also are capable of receiving NWR All-Hazards transmissions.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA's Weather Service operates the most advanced weather warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. More on the NOAA Weather Radio program is available online at:

http://www.weather.gov/nwr/