Raincheck

There's an alarm BLARING in the background as I type this. It's coming from my NOAA weather alert radio.

I've given up shutting the alarm off, because it keeps coming back on. You see, the weather has been pretty stormy recently and the alarm goes off whenever atmospheric Watches or Warnings are issued by the National Weather Service.

Some of these Watches and Warnings are more helpful than others--especially in the middle of the night. If for example a tornado was making its way down Center Avenue towards my house, I'd like to know about it no matter what time of the day or night. However, I think that I could wait until morning to hear about any Flash Flood Watches that may have been issued overnight, particularly when the counties in question are rather far from me and my cozy bed.

Granted, I'm sure weather radios have probably saved lives by alerting people of dangerous weather conditions and the need to take cover. I'm equally sure that the nearly CONSTANT BLARING of the alarms (did I mention mine is going off NOW!) during inclement weather has driven others to embark on murderous rages.

I don't have statistics for each scenario, but I'd advise the careful consideration of both outcomes before purchasing a weather radio of your own.

You might also want to steer clear of Center Avenue...at least until the sun comes out.