NOAA weather radio is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information direct from a nearby National Weather Service office. NOAA weather radio broadcasts National Weather Service watches, warnings, forecasts, and other hazard information 24 hours a day.

Some weather radios are equipped with a special tone feature, which can sound an alert and give you immediate information about a life threatening situation. During an emergency, the National Weather Service will interrupt routine weather radio programming and send out a special tone that activates weather radios in the warning area. Recently, a radio that can handle the Emergency Alert Signal was introduced. The Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) tone alert can be set up to only sound for your county. This cuts down on the number of unwanted tones you receive, and alerts you only when a life threatening situation is in your county.

In Georgia, there are 23 transmitters broadcasting throughout the state. Seven frequencies are reserved for NOAA weather radio on the public service band. These frequencies range between 162.400 megahertz and 162.550 megahertz. Broadcast range is approximately 40 miles, but the effective range depends on terrain, quality of the receiver, and indoor/outdoor antennas. Before buying a receiver, make sure your area is covered by a transmitter. Here is a listing of all Georgia transmitters and corresponding frequencies:

GA NWR Transmitters & frequencies
Americus 162.425 MHz Athens 162.400 MHz
Atlanta 162.550 MHz Augusta 162.550 MHz
Baxley 162.525 MHz Blue Ridge 162.475 MHz
Brasstown Bald 162.500 MHz Buchanan 162.425 MHz
Chatsworth 162.400 MHz Cleveland 162.525 MHz
Columbus 162.400 MHz Eastman 162.400 MHz
Eatonton 162.525 MHz La Grange 162.450 MHz
Macon 162.475 MHz Pelham 162.550 MHz
Sandersville 162.450 MHz Savannah 162.400 MHz
Taylor’s Ridge 162.450 MHz Thomaston 162.500 MHz
Valdosta 162.500 MHz Waycross 162.475 MHz
Waynesboro 162.425 MHz    
For more information, please go to The NOAA Weather Radio webpage.