As Promised! A Chart!!

Originally published on August 25, 2020; here with minor edits

Yesterday I had a spot of fun looking at some graphics from local National Weather Service (NWS) Twitter. This one especially tickled me.

On the face of it, everything on the list sort of makes sense. But when you start digging in, and thinking about some of the underlying assumptions, I don’t think it’s particularly helpful. So I made a chart.

What does ‘internet’ mean as a Way to receive a warning? That stumped me. So the first thing I did was parse out what each Ways meant. Given that I have some little familiarity with weather apps, I split that Way out from emergency alerts. And though “Local TV/Radio” does just roll off the tongue, they are not the same.

I then thought about what features in a Way to receive weather-related warnings mattered to me: audible alert, power source(s), and portability. I evaluated each Way accordingly.

The first thing to notice is that a multi-function, multi-power source NOAA weather radio checks all the boxes I deemed to be important. It’s the only Way that does.

I’m not going to, but if I were to do this chart again– this is a blog folks, I’m not paid to write and inform (PLEASE HIT THE TIP JAR!)– I would add three more columns: 1) Recharge/run with powerbank? 2) Recharge/run with power station? 3) Recharge/run with solar panel. A NOAA weather radio such as I described yesterday will check two, and maybe all, those off as well.

A decent NOAA weather radio is going to pick up AM/FM frequencies, but you can only listen to one station at a time. In addition to alerts, local radio can provide information on other local things such as road conditions/closures, early school dismissal, etc. A portable radio with backup batteries would be the next Way to go. But note this! As with alerts on a TV, an alert, watch, or warning issued by the NWS in your area is going to be delayed coming to you on a radio. It may be a split second or two, but a local station is a middle man.

Put some weather alerts on your phone. The ones from local TV & radio are free and there are another blue million out there.

What next? The Department of Redundancy Department grades two radios and a phone a C. Let’s look at Ways from the perspective of failure. How many means of failure can we note among the Ways? As we all know, both internet and cell service can fail concomitantly, so we’re down to two radios. If NOAA and the NWS go down… well, good luck unless you have independent Ways of getting radar, satellite and other weather information. (See my “I’ll see for myself” post series addressing this issue. You can do it!) What else?

Not all remaining Ways emit an audible alert and are portable, but all those which do need power. A decent to good FRS (Family Radio Services) will have two sources, rechargeable lithium ion, and alkaline. FRS radios are “walkie talkies” usually sold in packs of 2 or more. Almost all pick up the NWS frequencies. Look for “NOAA Weather Alert.” It will be exactly what you’d hear on the weather radio. Look also for ones that can recharge the LI battery via a USB cord, making it rechargeable using a power bank. And of course, it’s a walkie talkie! Emergency communication with anyone on the same frequency and within a few miles. (No. In the real world these frequencies do not travel 40 miles.)

As far as the remaining Ways, you know your area and likelihood of potential weather threats, what you need to be alerted to, reliability of your satellite, internet, etc., providers, and personal habits.

Remember, The Department of Redundancy Department is the place to be!