Hundreds of Raleigh residents will soon be able to better prepare for severe weather. The City of Raleigh will use grant money to provide residents with radios that give real-time alerts for severe weather. When distributing the radios, the City will prioritize vulnerable neighborhoods.
The Raleigh Fire Department received the $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. The City will use the grant to purchase National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radios.
The radios provide real-time alerts for tornadoes, floods, and other hazardous conditions in the area. The National Weather Service broadcast provides immediate notifications even during power outages.
The radios enhance the community’s preparedness, says Satwana Hurdle, assistant director of emergency management. “These radios sound alarms before, during, and after severe weather events,” she explains.
The Raleigh City Council on Tuesday authorized a budget amendment in the amount of $25,000 for the radios.