The Emergency Alert System (EAS) became operational across the United States in 1997.  EAS is a technological upgrade to the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS), an operational system for  decades.  Why is EAS an improvement?  Because EAS allows for the automatic transmission of severe weather warnings and other emergency messages across commercial radio, television and cable television.
     A significant conduit to receiving EAS messages is through NOAA Weather Radio (NWR).   Emergency messages from NWR can be rebroadcast quickly to the public using EAS decoders, to the public without a person intervening.  This is a very important capability because programming at commercial stations is usually automated for a significant portion of the broadcast schedule.  As a result of the new technology, an emergency message disseminated at 3 a.m. over NWR can still be rebroadcast over commercial radio, television and cable, provided the station is monitoring the NWR broadcast.
     At the National Weather Service office in Memphis, we issue nearly 300 weather-related emergency alerts each year.  Our office is always staffed, ready and prepared to issue emergency messages when necessary.  NWR is not solely used for weather-related messages.  We also have the capability to disseminate civil emergency messages.  These messages, at the request of local emergency management or law enforcement, can be disseminated for hazardous materials spills or other man-made disasters that threaten life and property.

     Does your radio station monitor NWR for EAS purposes?  NWR provides the critical infrastructure to accomplish the EAS objective.  Below is a list of NWR transmitters and the counties that they serve.  If you have any questions about NWR and EAS operation, please contact Warning Coordination Meteorologist Jim Belles at 901-544-0411. 

Memphis, TN  (station WXK-49, frequency 162.475 MHz)
Arkansas:  Cross, Crittenden, Lee, Phillips, St. Francis
Mississippi:  Benton, DeSoto, Marshall, Tate, Tunica
Tennessee:  Fayette, Hardeman, Haywood, Lauderdale, Shelby, Tipton

Jackson, TN (station WXK-60, frequency 162.550 MHz)
Tennessee:  Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, McNairy, Madison, Obion, Weakley

Jonesboro, AR (station WXJ-51, frequency 162.550 MHz)
Arkansas:  Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Greene, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, Woodruff
Missouri:  Dunklin, Pemiscot

Wardell, MO (station WWG-47, frequency 162.525 MHz)
Missouri:  Dunklin, Pemiscot, New Madrid
Arkansas:  Clay, Greene, Mississippi
Dyersburg, TN (station WWH-30, frequency 162.500 MHz)
Tennessee:  Crockett, Dyer, Gibson, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion
Missouri:   Pemiscot

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That means, as most longtime residents know, that severe weather is possible almost any time of the year in the Mid-South.  Therefore, it is essential to be prepared, and on guard, year-round.  One of the best ways to be prepared is to invest in a NOAA Weather Radio.  It truly is an investment.  Most weather radios have an alarm function that will sound any time a weather alert is issued by the National Weather Service.  Many also have SAME capability, which stands for Specific Area Message Encoder.  SAME allows you to receive alerts for only the counties you select.  In addition, when severe weather is not a threat, NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts continuous weather information 24 hours a day, every day.
     For information on what NOAA Weather Radio station covers your area, please see the chart above.