Survival guides · Family & Communication

NOAA Weather Radio

WHEN TO USE THISWeather and emergency alerts 24/7 — with no power, internet or cell service, as long as the radio has batteries.

1. The right radio

   • It must say "NOAA Weather Radio" or "All Hazards."
   • Best: hand-crank, with NOAA, AM/FM, and a USB port to charge a phone.
   • Keep it with your emergency supplies.

2. Find your station

   • Seven frequencies: 162.400 – 162.550 MHz.
   • Most radios scan for the strongest signal.
   • Or look up your county's at weather.gov/nwr — before you need it.

3. Set the alarm (SAME)

   • Radio has SAME? Program your county's 6-digit code — from weather.gov/nwr/counties or 1-888-NWR-SAME, before you need it.
   • It stays silent until there's an alert for your county — then sounds, even at 3 AM.
   • Test it monthly — stations send a weekly test.
   Why

   Without SAME, an alert radio goes off for every county the transmitter covers. With it, only yours.

Sources: NOAA National Weather Service NWR Program · FEMA / Ready.gov

General information to help in an emergency — not a substitute for training or professional care.