[AZ SLIM]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Do you have one?
Effective?
Make/model?
We have a Midland...10-ish years old....set for Sumter County notifications....not a peep or beep last night!
Settings are correct?!
Shopping.

I bought one and set it up for Sumter Co. when I moved here, primarily for tornados. I found that the warnings cover such a large area that it was not that helpful. Lots of noisy, annoying alerts but not very accurate. I use the emergency alerts via my phone app. Less drama. We know that specific tornados are hard to predict. I find it better to just keep an eye out if there is a strong storm around with potential for tornados.

[Maker]

Originally Posted by AZ SLIM

I bought one and set it up for Sumter Co. when I moved here, primarily for tornados. I found that the warnings cover such a large area that it was not that helpful. Lots of noisy, annoying alerts but not very accurate. I use the emergency alerts via my phone app. Less drama. We know that specific tornados are hard to predict. I find it better to just keep an eye out if there is a strong storm around with potential for tornados.

The FIPS code is unique per county. Since counties are relatively large, you may hear an alert that applies for the other end of the county you live in.
If you live in Sumter county, your FIPS code should eliminate alerts for other counties, unless those alerts are also covering Sumter.
For example, if a tornado warning covers several counties and you will hear them all mentioned, including your county.
For example, an alert for coastal flooding would not apply here, and you should not hear that one.
For example, an alert type sent for a topic that has been disabled on your radio, should not trigger your radio to alert. It should stay silent.

If "noisy" refers to the NOAA transmitter, It's strong enough in this area to be heard clearly, without any static. If "noisy" refers to alerts, then perhaps your radio is programmed wrong.

A cell phone is a great backup, but cell service is often down during disasters. My phone is set for only the worse case alerts, like tornado on the ground. Things I want to know about right now because I need to take action right now. I do not rely on it for much else because it is not a primary data source.

[Girlcopper]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Do you have one?
Effective?
Make/model?
We have a Midland...10-ish years old....set for Sumter County notifications....not a peep or beep last night!
Settings are correct?!
Shopping.

Why bother with that. Get the emergency alerts on your cell

[TVTVTV]

Originally Posted by scubawva

No need. Set your smartphone to receive alerts.

...and remember to put it within hearing distance at night for any alerts.

[TVTVTV]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

A weather radio should not be your only one source you should have another backup or even a third. You should take full advantage of your smart phone assuming you and most have one anyhow.

Agree. My cell phone is set up for certain warnings, and kept in the bedroom also. Make sure you allow alerts from the specific weather app to bypass any 'Do Not Disturbed' settings on your phone.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by scubawva

No need. Set your smartphone to receive alerts.

works until the electric or transmission tower doesn't work.
that's why the weather radio for tornado warnings are so important, especially at night.

people forget after long periods of working, everything works until it doesn't. .
The World Trade Center stood until it didn't. . . same with everything else