APPENDIX E - PRIMARY EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM BROADCAST STATIONS

The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is used to alert the local community about emergency information and warnings through local broadcast and cable media. Certain messages can be generated by local, state and federal offices and transmitted on radio, television and cable networks to alert the community about such hazards as power outages, tornadoes, flash floods, severe thunderstorms, blizzards, dam failures, nuclear accidents, toxic leaks or any occurrence which poses a danger to life or property.

The EAS system can be activated by several methods. The National Weather Service can activate the system via our NOAA Weather Radio. Usually we activate the system when life threatening weather or potential damage to property may occur. The main weather elements we activate the system for are tornadoes, flash floods, severe thunderstorms, and rapidly developing blizzards. We can, at the request of specified officials activate the system for items like dam failures or messages from county emergency management directors who need to alert their community to hazards like toxic leaks.

When the system is activated, certain tones are heard on radio and television stations which interrupt the audio portion of the programming. Each television station may choose whether to use a crawler or have an audio portion discuss what the alert is for. Radio stations use only audio messages. Once the message is relayed, the television and radio stations return to normal programming.

All television stations have upgraded to the Emergency Alert System. Nearly every radio station has also upgraded. Certain stations across Idaho have been selected as primary input points for emergency messages. These stations are listed on the next page. If you can not use NOAA Weather Radio to receive emergency information, it is suggested you monitor one of the primary stations or contact radio or television stations in your community to ensure they have the Emergency Alert System for monitoring.

Primary Emergency Alert System Broadcast Stations

Central Idaho

Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington (Inland Northwest)

South Central Idaho

Webmaster
US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
Spokane Weather Forecast Office
2601 N. Rambo Rd.
Spokane, Washington 99224

Tel: (509) 244-0110