The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation has advanced two national weather targeting modernization and expansion of the nation’s weather communication and radio service.
U.S. Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), committee chair, and Ted Cruz (R-TX), ranking member, introduced the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio Modernization Act and the National Weather Service Communications Improvement Act.
“As severe weather events, wildfires and climate-related emergencies increase across the nation, local communities need reliable, real-time alerts to keep their families safe and homes secure,” Cantwell said. “Together, these bipartisan bills would upgrade the National Weather Service’s transmission technology, expand radio alert coverage in rural communities and repair weather radio stations across the country, including 17 stations in the State of Washington.”
NOAA’s National Weather Service operates a nationwide network of public radio stations that broadcast weather warnings, forecasts and emergency information 24/7.
“When severe storms take out communications systems in Texas and other states, Americans need a reliable hazard communication system to inform them about how to stay safe,” Cruz said. “These bills would modernize NOAA’s Weather Radio so that we have fully functioning, reliable early warning systems and the ability to reach Texans with the information they need during disasters.”
According to NOAA, ove 400 National Weather Service transmitters will need to be replaced in the next five years.