GALVESTON – Residents of Galveston County will soon have restored access to a permanent NOAA Weather Radio signal, as officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) begin installing a transmitter on Galveston Island this week.

The transmitter is part of NOAA’s All Hazards radio network, which provides weather updates and emergency alerts. The Galveston area has been without a permanent signal since March, when a fire destroyed the government-owned transmitter in Hitchcock.

That transmitter broadcasted NOAA’s KHB-40 frequency at 162.550 megahertz, covering the county and surrounding areas. While a temporary signal has been available since August, it does not provide the same range and reliability as a permanent transmitter.

NOAA Weather Radio signals are designed to reach specialized radios or scanners that receive VHF frequencies. Many of these radios are battery- or solar-powered, making them a key source of information when power or cell service is interrupted during severe weather events.

NOAA’s new transmitter will restore continuous coverage and strengthen the county’s emergency alert capabilities.

Photo credit: NOAA