I would think that NOAA broadcasting is more robust than cell towers.
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/The wirecutter article seems to assume you have a home unit with SAME so they are looking at portable models that you might take with you if you leave town, with SAME being not as necessary?
Here are a couple more sites with suggestions, taken from wirecutter references at bottom of article.
http://weatherradios.com/portable-radioshttps://www.consumersearch.com/weather-radios