Do you have an emergency weather radio?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (37507)
November 14, 2023 9:16pm CST
If you have survived a tornado or a hurricane or other weather event that stopped your world from functioning normally, a long, long power outage, you have no doubt experienced just how inconvenient it can really be. Here in the US, pretty much everything we do is through electricity. When it goes out for very long, we all get a bit upset.
I bring up the weather radio as it is a tool that can really help. Many people do not have access to their own local channels due to the choices of streaming services. Then if the power goes down, they don't even have that for a distraction. There are weather radios out there that can run on electricity OR batteries OR be hand cranked if it became necessary. They have ports for charging phones and devices.
They are also used for nation-wide alerts, etc. (Nationwide security, and such). They are not expensive and might give some people some peace of mind.
Might even be a nice gift for Christmas for the right person.
14 people like this
13 responses
@FourWalls (68014)
• United States
15 Nov 23
I have one in my bedroom, one in the living room, and one in the kitchen. Oh, and one in my car and one in my luggage to take into my hotel room.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
My home is not large, I only have the one. Extra batteries for it if needed, of course. My kids all have one, too. It just gives a bit of reassurance that it's there if it's needed.
You are prepared!!
4 people like this
@FourWalls (68014)
• United States
15 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle — I have a very small house (850 square feet). They’ve just accumulated over the years. But having one in the car while I’m traveling is a necessity to me. (I also have a bicycle helmet in the car….partly for the off chance that I might rent a bike and take a ride along a trail, but primarily in case of tornado.)
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
@FourWalls
Our local weather people seem to think everyone needs a helmet. I hadn't thought of it until the last bad tornado got so close. But it's not a bad idea at all.
That is a small house, yes. I think mine is 1075. Seems small after having all the kids and then living in a large house, but I do NOT miss cleaning that monster. I think it's best to have a small home unless you have a lot of people.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
I am of the opinion that we all need one. When there is no power for a long time, we may well need it. I've been there without power before, most of us have. It's not fun! I live in what is sometimes called 'Tornado Alley'' so there's that to consider as well.
Good for you for thinking outside the box, so to speak. I think it would be a great present. I got mine for my birthday last year, from one of the kids.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (471506)
• Switzerland
15 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle The laws concerning the Atomic Shelters are old, as they were made mandatory since WWII. There is a list of things we must keep inside, included this kind of radio, to keep updated with what is happening outside, should we close that heavy door behind us.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
@LadyDuck That makes sense. People don't really realize sometimes that they could be cut off from everyone and might be in a position to need help or what you have said, which is the proverbial elephant in the room all over the world. We might want to know what is going on outside.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
I think everyone should have one, however we have no such mandates. Most of the laws they try to pass now, they have to fight over, and by the time the fight ends, the law doesn't make any sense. Our system is broken.
I'm glad you have one, Anna.
2 people like this
@just4him (317041)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
16 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle I've never had a need for one here. Though, I've thought about it.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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17 Nov 23
@just4him
It's a nice thing to have to know you can stay informed about severe weather, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes...all those fun things! Plus it will give security nationwide alerts if the need is ever there.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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16 Nov 23
I used mine when we had that terrible storm at the end of May and the power was down for so long. I was glad to have it, for sure.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
In the current state of the world we are trying to live in, it's just one more tool that might help us if we need it. At least, that's how I am thinking.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (178592)
• United States
15 Nov 23
We now have a standby generator that automatically goes on when the power goes out. We do have at least one battery-powered radio. Have a great day.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (178592)
• United States
16 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle I told my husband last year that if he goes I didn't want to be stuck alone with no heat for 3 days in the winter. That happened one time when we had an ice storm.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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17 Nov 23
@LindaOHio
I love snow, but if all the ice storms disappeared forever, I wouldn't be sad. They are so destructive and dangerous, and the power always goes down in the worst of them--I've done that 3 day thing myself, it's not fun!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
A generator is a good thing to have, I'm glad you do.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55607)
• Los Angeles, California
18 Nov 23
We have regular radios - not specifically a weather radio though. But we should. Hand crank - interesting! Our weather is usually not extreme, so we take these things for granted. I think I would probably rely on the car radio the most.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55607)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle I was talking to Hubby - maybe it's a good idea to have one on hand - and they don't seem to be terribly expensive. I don't know why I'm fascinated by that hand crank feature. With the way Mother Nature is goin', you never know what might happen - good to keep in an emergency kit!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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18 Nov 23
Weather radios are for more than just weather. If your power goes down, you can charge your phone and electronic devices on the ports. It runs on a battery, and if you run out of battery and don't have more, you can crank it up. The weather radio is also for nationwide alerts and news of happenings that we might need to know if there was danger in our area.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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20 Nov 23
@much2say
With the crazy times and happenings going on all around us, and as you say, Mother Nature and her fits, I think they are a good idea. My oldest son bought mine when he bought his own, it wasn't expensive (like $40 I think) and we tested it out, it's all good to go if it's needed.
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
I have a flashlight in my car as well. Also a first aid kit and a blanket.
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (139711)
• Roseburg, Oregon
15 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle Yes I have a first aid kit and a blanket to.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
@jstory07
I have always done that. A few times when stranded in traffic in the winter, I have been very glad for the blanket!!
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
15 Nov 23
Nope and I don't want one, either. I shut off emergency alerts on my phone and showed Pretty how to shut them off on her phones. I always hated those blaring alerts.
We live a few houses down from the electric company and can see what they're working on when the electricity goes out.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
16 Nov 23
@MarieCoyle In Missouri, your phone weather alerts, kidnapped children alerts and tornado alerts WILL go off at a LOUD volume unless you turn them off on your phone before that time.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
The weather alerts aren't going to come on unless you turn on the radio. It is also for any other alerts that might affect our safety or lives. Honestly, I lived out in the sticks for a time. We rarely got any alerts except for very last minute tornado alerts--you know ''It's HERE, take cover!'' so I am very glad to have the radio
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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17 Nov 23
I am big on flashlights. I also have several that plug in to the wall, and if/when the power goes out, they come on and have an 8 hour charge. Worth it, no one wants to stumble around in the dark!
@JESSY3236 (19949)
• United States
21 Nov 23
My great-aunt has one. I had wanted one.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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22 Nov 23
I think it would be a good thing if we all had one. Makes a person feel a bit safer.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (37507)
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15 Nov 23
I think it's a good thing to have if it's needed, Judy.
1 person likes this
@jnrdutton (3148)
• United States
15 Nov 23
I don't have one, but now I want one.
1 person likes this
