WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell is set to reintroduce a bill aimed at modernizing the nation’s weather radio service. This comes as the country faced 27 weather and climate-related disasters last year, causing more than one billion dollars in damage and resulting in 568 deaths.
The proposed bill seeks to expand the National Weather Service radio alert coverage to reach approximately 98 to 99 percent of Americans. Senator Cantwell stated that the bill would authorize $25 million per year over the next five years for the operating system, with an additional $100 million allocated for upgrades.
Currently, Washington state has 17 national radio transmitters. This initiative aims to enhance coverage and ensure more residents receive timely weather alerts.
