Turn on that Radio!

Down South, tornadoes often strike at night, when many of us are asleep.

For some of us, a tornado siren is enough to wake us up and spring us into action.  But what about those who don’t live near a tornado siren?  It’s a situation that presents a whole new problem.

So in an attempt to improve warnings, officials in Haskell, Arkansas, have been handing out weather radios, FREE OF CHARGE.  But they’re encountering one problem.  PEOPLE DON’T WANT THEM, even for FREE. 

The program to increase the use of weather radios in Saline County has placed only 4,200 in 39,000 homes in two years. 

Doug Hethcox, whose mobile home was damaged in a 2004 storm, says, “If there’s another tornado then it will probably go around us, and if not then we will be joining the Lord.“

His outlook is representative of the problem. 

Resident Scott Ausbrooks, a science teacher, uses the television to monitor storms and also doesn’t feel the need for a radio. 

“I suspect if something happened, I’d be saying different, but right now it’s not a priority,“ he says.

NWS Meteorologist John Robinson makes the point that the television is only so effective in terms of warnings.

He says, “Once you turn the TV off, the TV doesn’t wake you up.“

Personally, I can’t imagine not having a weather radio at home.  I even have access to the weather service from my car.  But then again…it is my job!  So…what do you think?  Do you even have a weather radio?  Why or why not?  Let me know.