A Texas lawmaker has criticized NOAA for taking more than four months to restore emergency weather radio service to the Galveston region where tens of thousands of people rely on the service’s automated 24-7 forecasts and warnings to protect their homes and communities against extreme events.
The NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards signal, transmitted from the National Weather Service’s Houston/Galveston forecast office, extends across parts of five counties surrounding Galveston Bay, including parts of Houston, where residents access weather information using specialized weather radios.
The Galveston signal has been offline since March 25 when a fire destroyed a transmitter and shelter, according to the agency. NWS subsequently decided to move the transmitter to a different location.
More than four months later, the signal remains out of service, prompting a letter to NOAA from Republican Rep. Randy Weber, whose district includes Galveston Bay and the surrounding low-lying areas.
