When digital television is the only option, an emergency radio will likely be your link to the outside world.

Living in South Florida, hurricanes reach our minds and become the topic of discussion when we start to see the predictable afternoon thunderstorms roll in with clock like predictability.

We welcome the rainy season as this is when the roads are clear, the beaches are quiet, there is no longer a wait at our favorite restaurants, and the natural aesthetic beauty of Florida doesn't require as many helping hands to keep it attractive. We also know it is time to prepare for a possible direct hit from a hurricane.

You may have heard about the plan to switch all television signals from analog to digital in the near future (2009). The powers that be, have picked my area of South West Florida (Fort Myers/Naples) as a testing ground for an early switch. While I don't mind the elimination of analog channels in theory, many residents including myself are concerned that during times of bad weather (when cable is often unavailable anyway) battery powered and emergency televisions will no longer be broadcasting valuable information. The recommended alternative seems to be unanimously in favor of emergency/S.A.M.E/ or NOAA weather radios.

From NOAA.GOV
"NOAA Weather Radio
. . . the voice of the National Weather Service

NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) broadcasts National Weather Service warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information 24 hours a day. Known as the "voice of the National Weather Service," NWR is provided as a public service by the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "

These radios will be the key to knowing answers to those important key questions after a storm.
When will I have power/water again? (More importantly air conditioning)
Where is flooding?
Who suffered the most damage?
Am I expected to be at work tomorrow?
Is it over???

I've been doing a little research and found the following emergency/weather radio's to be the best candidates for inclusion in my hurricane kit this year.

As always we pray for nothing and prepare for everything.