Weather Emergency Radio – WHY? Information!
A weather radio gives you up to date information about alerts and conditions that can be life saving. They have been called “Smoke detector for Severe Weather”. Weather radios work without cell towers or wi-fi – old school radio waves.
Staying updated lets you work your plan to shelter in place or to Evacuate with changes in Event.
Even in stand by mode, the radio can give out a loud warning for even when you are sleeping. Alerts include weather related safety such as hazardous spills, evacuation order and even civil emergencies. Most models can run on batteries, are rechargeable by outlet or power bank and even have crank options to keep them going.
Which to buy to depends on your preparation. For now, get any type and can upgrade later as able.
1. Power If only battery powered – have spare batters. If rechargeable, have a battery power bank and a way to keep the power bank charged or a smaller, phone sized, dedicated power bank just for weather radio. I personally have one that is all 3, battery, rechargeable and crank.
2. Features
S.A.M.E technology allows you to program you exact County Code for alarms to trigger when there is a danger in you area.
For more PUBLIC ALERTS, make sure model says “Public Alert” or “NOAA All Hazards” to guarantee meets standards for safety broadcasting and Alerts.
This is a Critical Part to staying safe AND easy to use. NOT to be confused iwht a Short Wave Radio – totally different animal and learning curve. You can be set up and ready to go out of the box in 5-10 minutes.
IN the continental US, there are only 7 channels. Turn on radio when has power or charged. Toggle through until you hear clear audio. DONE !
If radio has option and you want to input a 6 number county code; look the code up online and punch it in once and save. DONE!
***PRO TIP – keep weather radio within eye sight, like on shelf in bedroom closet or on back of dresser. This will remind you to keep the power source to the radio updated like swap out the AA batteries once a year, (re) charge, turn on incase any software updates needed on radio, etc.
LINK to National Weather Service page where you pick your State, then see county list: The frequency is there for weather radio and 3rd column is your county Location Code for S.A.M.E. or FIPS code.
https://www.weather.gov/nwr/counties
Or can call 1-888-697-7263 This gives an automated menu. I spoke the county name and state to receive SAME code and Radio frequency for several different states with 100% correct.
You CAN Text “GO” to this number 1-888-697-7263. I did and got a message asking to opt in, START or out, STOP. I entered START to immediately get number options to get SAME code to program NOAA Radio (1), Local Weather forecast (6), and NOAA Weather Radio general information (7) were other options. I entered one then text requesting name of county and state. I entered information several times to get “could not find” – it did find next door county. I tried other states and worked. Seems some areas or even states are covered under same code when using text option. I rate the Texting Option as 50/50 to being able to get information so use with Caution.
This Link will take you to a color coded USA map. Click on your state or general area for next page explaining what is currently happening.
https://www.weather.gov
So I recommend to Get S.A.M.E. county code and radio frequency:
go to website (and may be better on computer screen than phone screen)
https://www.weather.gov/nwr/counties
OR Call 1-888-697-7263
I have tried and verified information is correct as of 8/14/2026
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only and cannot guarantee correctness at any given time.
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