Weather radios to be given away
Through a generous donation, Storm Alert Center’s Daniel Wilson and Brandon Henson, of Henson Ace Hardware, are giving away over $1,000 of NOAA Weather Radios.
Henson Ace Hardware and Storm Alert Center
Thanks to a generous contribution, 30 NOAA Weather Radios are being given away through Henson Ace Hardware and the Storm Alert Center. “Taking the initiative to prepare for severe weather is important and this outreach is a good way to start,” Daniel Wilson, lead forecaster of the Storm Alert Center said.
Severe thunderstorms and tornado numbers have seemed to increase over the last few years and while no one knows when and where a tornado will touch down, it is important to be weather prepared.
“This is a wonderful way to help our community be more prepared during severe weather,” Brandon Henson, of Henson Ace Hardware, in Russell Springs, said. “Stop by and enter for one of the radios to be given away. We also have a supply of other storm preparedness items such as flashlights and batteries.”
“So many people are depending on an outdoor siren to alert them in a home or workplace but those are not meant to be heard in a building,” Wilson said.
“Those sirens are WWII technology,” he opined. “We have to do better; we have to get over the dependence of sirens to alert during severe weather.”
While stressing the importance of weather radios, Wilson said he would “love to interview the victims of tornadoes who depended on a siren to alert them to see if it was heard, but I can’t. Because some of those people are dead. Stop with the siren mentality.”
The financial contribution has allowed for over $1,000 worth of radios to be given away.
“We are honored to be part of this and hopefully it will make a difference when severe weather events take place,” Henson said.
While severe weather is usually seen in March, April and May, some of the biggest outbreaks of severe weather have happened November through February.
“The Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone only activates for a tornado warning or severe storm warning with forecast winds of 80-plus mph,” Wilson said. “Outdoor sirens sound generally for tornado warnings only.”
The Hyper Reach phone call service in Russell County will automatically dial participants for severe weather warnings.
The drawing for the radios will be on April 3-the 51-year anniversary of the 1974 tornado outbreak.
Those interested in obtaining one of the free NOAA Weather Radios can visit Henson Ace Hardware at 250 W. Steve Warner Dr. in Russell Springs to register in the drawing.
