Weather radios can save lives

We hope and pray none of us are ever again touched by terrorism, but, as individuals, communities and a nation, we are doing what we can to be able to respond if we are.

The same can be said of a danger which we face every year. We hope and pray we or our loved ones are never endangered by severe weather, but we know we are unlikely to escape.

Most of us have personal stories related to rain, floods, lightning, blizzards and, especially in the upcoming spring and summertime tornadoes.

This week, as part of National Severe Weather Awareness Week, local media and emergency personnel are taking an important step to help us keep safe during this and upcoming severe weather seasons.

Sheriff Gene Mahon says he wants a NOAA weather radio in every home, business, school and healthcare facility in the state.

Thanks to the Red Willow County's Sheriff's Posse and those who support it, NOAA radios are being donated to Hillcrest Nursing Home, Willow Ridge and Highland Park retirement centers, Community Hospital of McCook and Indianola Clinic; and McCook, Republican Valley, Twin Valley, Danbury and Districts 41 and 8 schools.

These can be a lifesaver.

When tornadoes ripped through parts of southwest Georgia during the overnight hours of Feb. 14, 2000, killing 18 people and injuring many more, there were a number of survivors who credited NOAA Weather Radio with waking them up in time to take cover.

A girl's basketball game in the Beebe (Ga.) High School gymnasium was suddenly halted at half-time after the town's school superintendent heard a tornado warning issued by the National Weather Service. NOAA Weather Radio's real-time updates indicated the tornado was moving in the direction of the school. Thirty minutes after the game was called, an F-3 tornado nearly leveled the gym. No one was injured because the facility was vacant.

We're giving you a chance to obtain one of these lifesaving devices free as well. Fill out the quiz in today's issue, and you may be just win a new Weather Radio.

If you aren't one of the lucky ones, consider buying one of the radios for yourself, your family, a loved one or friend. The life you save may just be your own.