Picture : U.S. Drought Status for Mid-July

"...Another week of hot and dry weather continued the deterioration of crop conditions in America’s breadbasket.  U.S. Department of Agriculture reports for the week ending July 15 indicated that 38 percent of the nation’s corn crop was in poor to very poor condition "

Source: unl.edu

Space Picture: Hurricanes Daniel and Emilia

Visible satellite imagery from NOAA showing twin storms in the eastern Pacific Ocean: Daniel and Emilia. Image Credit: NOAA

61% of US in Drought - NWS says Indianapolis in Worst Drought in 102 years

"In Indianapolis, which the National Weather Service says is enduring its longest dry spell in 104 years.

Almost two-thirds of the nation -- around 61% -- is now in a drought, the highest percentage in at least 12 years, federal climate scientists announced today."

Source: USAToday

6 yr old Scolds Power Company - Electricity has not come on, Come and fix it

A 6 year old from South Charleston West Virginia lost power on June 29 from a major storm.  After a week in a heat wave this little tiger went on the offensive to demand the electric utility fix her problem.

NASA Terra Satellite Image: Waldo Canyon Colorado Burn Scar

NASA has released a false-color image of the burn scar from the Waldo Canyon Fire, which began on June 23, 2012 and became the most destructive fire in the history of the state of Colorado.

Vegetation-covered land is shown in red.

4 Gadgets to Help Survive a Power Outage

When the power goes out after a destructive storm our digital world comes to a screeching halt.  You can be prepared with these four gadgets.

Hand Crank Radio - Its not old school when all else fails

Battery Charger - Stay plugged

Light Source - You'll need to find your way around in the dark

Power Inverter - Converts DC in AC for items we plug into a wall

 

Stay informed with the latest news on your hand rank radio

Source:  CNN Gadgets to Help you Survive a Power Outage

Hand Crank Radio: DC area Power Outage effects 1 in 3. No Phones?

A low tech Hand Crank Radio is your best and safest bet for staying informed before, during, and after a storm.  The National Weather Service broadcasts continuously during a severe event keeping you advised.

Friday Storm Damage: One in three electric customers in the Washington DC area remained out of service according to utility websites.  In Montgomery County the level of outages reached 61 percentages.  In Northern Virginia nearly 30% of customers were without power.

Utility officials report it could be more than a week before power is fully restored.

Cell phone, cable and internet services were negatively effected.  AT&T and Verizon reported the storm played havoc with their service

Stay Safe - Stay Informed - Be Prepared with a Hand Crank Radio

Source:  WTOP 

Source:  Washington Post

NOAA Weather Map: Triple Digit Heat Wave Expanding Eastward

The excessive heat continues today for a large portion of the central and eastern U.S., with triple-digit temperatures this afternoon expanding eastward.  Be Prepared and Stay safe

Source: NOAA Article & National Weather Hazard Map

Hand Crank Radio: Tropical Storm Debbie Leaving Florida for Atlantic

The latest NOAA forecast track takes Tropical Storm Debby across Central Florida just north of Orlando, Florida by Wednesday, briefly becoming a tropical depression.  Debby is then forecast to exit the Florida Peninsula into the open Atlantic Ocean waters near Daytona Beach, Florida Wednesday afternoon.

Keep your Hand Crank Radio with you throught the day to ensure you can receive minute by minute updates directly from the National Weather Service.

Lightning Awareness Week Photo from NOAA

Here's another great Lightning Awareness Week photo from NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

Don't forget to keep your NOAA Radio ready with fresh batteries

Dallas Video: Golf Ball Sized Hail in June?

Watch as large hail damages property in Dallas TX area.  Watch the Youtube video here.

Have you seen hail this large?  Tell us your story.

Colorado Forest Fire Rages - tops 58,000 acres - Races On

A forrest fire in nothern Colorado continues dispite the continuing efforts of 1,700 personnel, 30 aircraft and 40 fire engines.

The fire began when lightning struck a forrest area.  If you live in the effected areas please stay connected with a weather radio for continued safety.

CNN story and pictures

National Weather Service goes high Tech - Wireless Emergency Alerts

This month the National Weather Service (NWS) begins a new service texting Weather Emergency Alerts directly to your cell phones - nothing to subscribe to, no cost, nothing to download.  It's automatic, if your cell is WEA-enabled

Older cell phones may not be WEA enabled.  Wireless industry experts estimate all cell phones will be WEA enabled by 2014. 

Is your cell phone WEA enabled?  Find out here and read more about National Wireless Emergency Alerts for Mobile Devices .   

A Weather Alert Radio Can Save Your Life

A NOAA Radio is more than just a radio. It’s a life-saver – broadcasting continuous weather information directly from the nearest NOAA National Weather Service office across the US and Canada.

87-year-old Wilma Nelson of Woodward, Okla., recently experienced the power of a NOAA Weather Radio when a devastating tornado struck her town of 12,000.  Read how a weather alert radio saved her life in this NOAA article.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) advises us to "strongly consider" buying a weather alert radio if you live in an area that experiences tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, or other severe weather.

Video: Tornado sweeps across Venice

Amateur footage has captured a tornado-like whirlwind sweeping across Venice, ripping up trees and scaring local inhabitants along the way.

Watch the video here

or another here

NOAA Completes Weather Warning System in Wisconsin

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the weather warning radio system for Wisconsin is complete.  The 27 weather warning stations cover 95 percent of the state's population.  

National Weather Service (NWS) warning coordination meteorologist Carol Christenson advises weather radios ( weather alert radio) can be a life saver in the northern areas of Wisconsin where cell phone signals and sirens are not available

FREE Weather Alert Radio to Residents of El Doardo, Kansas

A Weather Alert Radio can save your life. Be Informed, Be Prepared, Be Safe.

El Dorado, Kan. -  The El Dorado Fire Department is offering free weather alert radios to citizens of El Dorado and the surrounding communities.   These Weather Alert Radios are offered on a first-come first-served basis with a one per household limit.

A Weather Alert Radio is a special radio which receives Special Weather Related and all Hazards related broadcasts from governmental agencies.  These all hazards broadcasts are on seven bands not available to common AM FM radios

Be Prepared for Severe Weather Emergencies

The Boy Scouts have it right "Be Prepared".  Houston Mayor Annise Parker advises Make a Plan, Build a Kit, and Stay informed.  The best way to stay informed is with a NOAA Weather Radio. 

Watch her 30 second video here

 

It's Hurricane Prep Time: Must-Haves & Must-Dos

Marla Ottenstein's timely article, read it here, on hurricane preparation lists your "must-dos" and "must-haves" essentials.

We can tell she has insiders knowledge with her terrific ideas for a proactive, never take anything for granted advice

You can read more interesting articles on our Hand Crank Radio Blog 

Expect the Best, Plan for the Worst

Expect the best, plan for the worst, and prepare to be surprised

Stay Informed with a hand crank radio. Follow our blog to learn how to stay safe and keep informed 

10 Must-have items for an Emergency

 Get Prepared for Emergencies

Collect all your gear in a waterproof plastic tub and stow it in an easy-to-access spot in your house

Duct Tape

Blanket

Multitool

Radio / phone Charger

Work gloves

Nylon Rope

Lantern

Fishing Line

Vinyl Table Cloth

Baby Wipes

Make sure to include first-aid supplies, three days' worth of bottled water and nonperishable food, and a list of important phone number

Click if you want to read more Source

eHandCrankRadio Blog