[Scan-DC] New VA Weather stations to DX!

[Alan Henney]

-----Original Message-----
From: VDEM Public Affairs Office [mailto:pio at vdem.virginia.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 3:07 PM
Subject: VDEM News Release: Grant Fills Weather Alert Radio Gaps


Virginia Department of Emergency Management
10501 Trade Court, Richmond, VA 23236
CONTACT: Bob Spieldenner, (804) 897-6510

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 27, 2007

Grant Fills Weather Alert Radio Gaps

RICHMOND, VA — Two new grants will expand weather radio alerting
coverage areas in parts of Virginia. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture has awarded the Commonwealth $188,400 to purchase and
install additional transmitters, antennae and generators in Halifax
and Wythe counties.

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather
Radio network broadcasts weather watches and warnings from local
National Weather Service offices 24 hours a day. Although the network
covers all major metropolitan areas and many smaller cities and towns,
the grants help to provide coverage in rural areas that do not have
coverage or are poorly covered. In addition to weather alerts, the
network also sends environmental and public safety alerts, including
messages for the Emergency Alert System.

“Severe weather can strike at any time, anywhere, and it is essential
that all Virginians have access to the NOAA Weather Radio network,”
said Michael Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of
Emergency Management. “These grants will have a significant impact on
the safety of residents in southwestern and southside Virginia.”

Recent tornadoes in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Missouri have
reinforced the need for such alerting coverage.

“These alerts are vital to saving lives when quick action is
necessary,” said Phil Hysell, warning coordination meteorologist for
the NWS in Blacksburg, Va. “With this funding, we are better able to
protect residents in the more rural areas.”

The grants are funded using residual funds from grant projects that
were completed under budget. Grants for similar projects also went to
Alaska, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota and Tennessee. For more
information about the grants, visit the USDA’s Rural Development Web
site at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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