FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, April 18, 2005

CONTACT: Stephanie Tveidt, DPS Communication Officer, 605.773.3212

Weather Radios Provide the Latest Information during Severe Weather

April 25-29 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in South Dakota

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds has declared April 25-29 Severe Weather Preparedness Week in South Dakota so that all citizens are aware of safety precautions they can take during the severe weather they often encounter in the state. 

“During this year’s Severe Weather Preparedness Week, we want citizens to know the value of having a weather radio to warn them of any type of hazard in their communities,” said Public Safety Secretary Tom Dravland.

Under a January 1975 White House policy statement, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA Weather Radio was designated the sole government-operated radio system to provide direct warning into private homes for both natural disasters and nuclear attack. 

The NOAA and the National Weather Service recently expanded the use of the weather radio to include warnings for all hazards, such as hazardous materials releases and wildfires. The NOAA Weather Radio also provides continuous broadcasts of the latest weather information directly from the National Weather Service offices. These broadcasts are tailored for the radio owner’s specific area.

“It is now possible to program certain weather radios to sound an alert for only the counties you desire in a specific area,” Dravland said.

Gov. Rounds’ proclamation and the South Dakota Severe Weather Preparedness handbook are available at http://oem.sd.gov/home.htm. The handbook contains details about:

• Weather radios
• Preparing an emergency supply kit
• Weather hazards such as floods, thunder/lightning, tornados, and excessive heat
• Preparing an emergency school plan
• State, county, and tribal emergency management contact information 

South Dakota Department of Public Safety’s mission is to keep South Dakota a safe place to live, work, visit and raise a family. Visit www.state.sd.us/dps for more information about the department and its agencies.

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MEDIA NOTE: If you’d like to do an interview with a member of the Emergency Management team regarding Severe Weather Preparedness or the value of having a NOAA Weather Radio, please call Stephanie Tveidt at 605.773.3212.