Thanks JBMat, I do have the WRAL call and a weather alert app on my iphone, along with the weather channel app with radar coverage. These were right on the money, and we knew what to expect, just not exactly where. I was actually out in the rain keeping a watch when it happened, and of course got the family into the best protection we have. After the tornado was gone, and we had not communications at all is when I really felt the need for the radio. I am not sure if any information was put out, but if it were a more long term disaster, I am sure it would become more important.

Do you think an internet weather site, displaying Doppler radar, would have been of any value?

That and the apps were great for warning, but all comms were lost when the storm hit. It took a few hours for cell phone service to be restored, quite a few more for power, and about 24 hours for cable and internet. I am thinking more about information after the fact. I am even considering a battery powered TV. However, will anyone be transmitting any information? By radio or TV?

Glad you made it through it ok.


As for weather radios, I err on the side of having too many. I have five Midland WR-100 models around the house, basement and garage. An inexpensive model that I found on sale for $10.00. They were cheap enough to warrant buying them.

I also have the WR-300 on the desk in my office. A much nicer model.

Both the 100 and 300 have battery back-up and have the configurable alert options.

The one I really like is their XT511 Base Camp model (not just a weather radio). It has Weather, FRS (no FCC license needed)/GMRS (FCC license needed but no test required and call sign is allocated to an entire family), AM/FM; runs off of AC, Alkaline Batteries and has a Hand Crank/Dynamo and rechargeable batteries.

It also comes with a LED light on the side (not the front like some other brands) so you don't blind yourself if you need the light on while adjusting the radio controls.

It even has a USB port for charging small portables such as many android phones, iPhones, etc.

I'm a Ham operator who participates in the Weather Watch / SkyWarn program and have my portable, weatherproof Yaesu HT, which has weather band also. Probably helps explain why I have so many radios I've collected over the years.

While not everyone wants to go the Ham route (and expense), I feel it is prudent to at least have the FRS/GMRS radios (I have portables for my wife and two kids). That at least gives us a short range communication options. Also, GMRS now supports the use of repeaters so there is a chance the range can be effectively extended. Of course, central repeaters are potentially susceptible to outages during extreme conditions, just as a cell tower might be. That said, most Amateur repeater sites need to be prepared to operate during emergencies so most have backup generators and/or battery backups, so short of losing the antenna(s), they are almost always available in bad conditions and there is a team of volunteers generally ready to respond to issues, should they go down. There is some small chance that the same site that hosts an Amateur repeater may host a GMRS repeater also.

FYI, I have no affiliation with Midland. While they certainly aren't the most expensive units around, for me they work well for the price and seem to me to have been designed with a reasonable amount of forethought.
I generally just have them around the house. I’ve taken the XT511 on two camping trips but it has NOT been exposed to any seriously bad weather conditions, so I can't speak to how well it would hold up if exposed to extreme conditions. I don’t believe it is meant to be weatherproof.

Of course, evaluate them for yourself, as YMMV.
So, probably way more than you probably ever wanted to know about this, but thought I would offer it up.

Regards,
Buckeye

Edited for typos.

Montanero...I live about 35miles from Tampa/St Pete, and we have a really good Doppler radar net incorporating most of the TV stations in the Tampa Bay area and NOAA at Ruskin... I have a small digital portable TV from Best Buy, and am able to pick up 5 stations using the telescoping antenna...luckily one station has a tower about 6miles and broadcasts weather...try the unit out before you buy, there was a significant difference in price and quality.... I bought it after the 04/05 hurricane season, with intentions to be used with a 12v auto battery and a female cigarette lighter adapter with battery clamps...plan is to run fan and TV off a couple of car batteries... though I do have a 3500w alternator and a small solar capability

as for will the stations be up...we might have had gusts over 125mph but probably only 85 sustained here, nothing like a tornado