USDA awards $415,000 in weather radio grants
More than 100 sites have received assistance in connecting to the Weather Radio All Hazards early warning system
Do not tell Frank Oz, but the days of surprise tornados on the dusty plains may soon be over. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced yesterday that is had awarded $415,000 in grants to extend the coverage of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) early warning system to seven rural communities. “With the tragedy of the tornadoes hitting towns in Arkansas, Missouri, Alabama and Georgia recently, we have heard national broadcasters saying everyone should have a NOAA Weather Radio,” said USDA Secretary Mike Johanns. “These seven grants to rural communities who do not have coverage from NOAA Weather Radio Transmitters will help save lives.”
The award brings the total number of grants awarded to electric and telecommunications cooperatives, non-profit groups, and state and local governments to a total of ninety-one covering 100 sites in twenty-six states and Puerto Rico. The recipients of the seven Weather Radio Transmitter grants include: City of Nenana, Alaska ($39,438); Consolidated Telcom, North Dakota ($54,767); Custer Public Power District, Nebraska ($59,600); Departmeny of Emergency Management, Halifax County, Virginia ($69,600); Departmeny of Emergency Management, Wythe County, Virginia ($48,800); Gogebic County Office of Emergency Services, Michigan ($71,642); and Tennessee Valley Electric Cooperative ($72,000).
