The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / When Radio Really Proves Its Worth

**Posted by RadioActive** September 26, 2024 8:25 am

Residents of Florida are about to be reminded how important it is to have a portable radio and some batteries. With Hurricane Helene about to hit as a possible Category 4 - the second worst on the Saffir-Simpson scale - officials expect widespread flooding and power outages.

It's time like this where radio - if the stations can stay on the air - really prove their worth. Phones may go down, TVs may not work, computers may not have electricity to power their WiFi, but radio is somehow always there. I wish our friends down south a lot of luck during the next few days.

Radio is ready.

"In Tampa, the storm team will remain on-site Thursday, with engineers working remotely to manage any issues that arise. All stations will stay in format with weather updates from ABC News meteorologist Denis Phillips. If the hurricane reaches life-threatening levels, the stations will break format for local television broadcasts, a decision to be made by Operations Manager Rick Thomas."

I hope residents all bought a portable set and some Duracells. Sounds like they're going to need them.

Radio Is Ready As The Gulf Coast Braces For Hurricane Helene

**Posted by RadioActive** September 26, 2024 9:28 pm

Fascinating to listen to WFLA, the all news station in Tampa, Florida, as the hurricane approaches. I wonder where the studios are and if the place is well enough fortified to keep them on the air during the worst of the storm.

Have to say the two guys, who have been on the air for hours now, are doing yeoman's work keeping the audience updated. I can't help but think they're going to be broadcasting for a very long time, unless there's someone who can get there to relieve them. Perhaps they're doing it all remotely.

Amazingly, they're still doing traffic and weather together and playing all the spots. But who's left in the evacuated city to listen?

WFLA Live

**Posted by Shorty Wave** September 27, 2024 7:21 am

In 2003 and 2013 when Toronto experienced black outs both times, our radio was our only source of info. I always have at least one and a stash of batteries for such occasions, like many members of this board I imagine!

**Posted by RadioActive** September 29, 2024 10:59 am

Although Hurricane Helene is long gone, its effects may be felt for a long time down south. The FCC reports that at least 25 radio stations have gone off the air as a result of the storm, and there's no word on when they may be able to go back on the air.

Can't say for sure, but that may be the most broadcasters ever affected by such a weather event.

More Than Two Dozen Radio Stations Go Dark In Southeast From Hurricane Helene

**Posted by RadioActive** September 29, 2024 3:44 pm

Update: The number of radio stations off air has risen to near 50, with 6 TV stations also blacked out. Cable and Internet is also not working in many areas, so millions of people without power are not only in the dark with hydro but in the dark about what's going on in their area. That would make me crazy.

TV, radio outages increase after Hurricane Helene

**Posted by turkeytop** October 7, 2024 8:13 pm

Our little place in the Tampa Bay area is right in the bullseye for Hurricane Milton. I can'r get WFLA here because we have a local AM here on the adjacent channel 980.

**Posted by 67GreenRambler** October 7, 2024 8:18 pm

Another example.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/10/07/wnc-listeners-call-into-local-radio-station-seeking-solace-connection/75543836007/?taid=6703b1257aa3400001ed49d1&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

**Posted by mace** October 7, 2024 9:32 pm

turkeytop wrote:
Our little place in the Tampa Bay area is right in the bullseye for Hurricane Milton. I can'r get WFLA here because we have a local AM here on the adjacent channel 980.

What about listening online?

**Posted by RadioActive** October 7, 2024 9:36 pm

mace wrote:
turkeytop wrote:
Our little place in the Tampa Bay area is right in the bullseye for Hurricane Milton. I can'r get WFLA here because we have a local AM here on the adjacent channel 980.
What about listening online?

https://www.iheart.com/live/newsradio-wfla-2823/

**Posted by mic'em** October 8, 2024 7:03 am

Good luck turkeytop. And to all who are in the bullseye of Milton.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 8, 2024 7:10 am

Yes, TT. I hope your winter place stays the refuge you've always known. Good luck,

You know this one is going to be bad when a Florida TV meteorologist watching the storm breaks down on air watching what's coming. Not sure I've ever seen that happen before.

Meteorologist gets emotional discussing Hurricane Milton's intensity: ‘Just horrific’

**Posted by RadioActive** October 8, 2024 11:33 am

WFTV, the ABC television affiliate in Orlando, is going non-stop with the hurricane story. It's put its signal online for free, so if you're interested in this storm from a local aspect (as opposed to, say, a CNN) you can watch it here.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 8, 2024 4:31 pm

In an odd way, this terrible second deadly hurricane hitting Florida may help keep AM alive. As many here are aware, there's a bill before the U.S. Congress that would make it mandatory for automakers to keep the band in their vehicles.

Supporters are using Hurricane Helene and now Milton as evidence of how useful AM still is to spread the word and information in times of an emergency, especially when there's no electricity or Internet. There is no good time for a Cat 4 or 5 hurricane, but the timing certainly is interesting and may well propel this law over the top, even if the evidence says most people now get the majority of their emergency info online.

Congress Expected To Pass Law Requiring AM Radio In All New Cars

**Posted by turkeytop** October 8, 2024 7:37 pm

In 2020, while we were in Florida, the weather looked kind of threatening one night so I kept the weather radio on and close by. Then a warning came on about an aproaching tornado. I went around knocking on the doors of neighbours to alert them. Most of them already knew. They get warnings of their cell phones.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 8, 2024 7:41 pm

They call this hurricane Milton and say it's a monster.

Am I the only one who remembers when Milton The Monster meant something very different?

**Posted by RadioActive** October 8, 2024 8:57 pm

A look at how Florida radio stations in the eye of the storm are getting ready for whatever comes next.

Radio Coverage Is Planned, But Still Fluid, As Hurricane Milton Approaches

**Posted by Shorty Wave** October 9, 2024 8:46 am

RadioActive wrote:
A look at how Florida radio stations in the eye of the storm are getting ready for whatever comes next.

Radio Coverage Is Planned, But Still Fluid, As Hurricane Milton Approaches

The last line of this article stuck with me, “nothing at all will replace local broadcasters”. Thanks for sharing RA.

**Posted by RadioActive** October 11, 2024 8:47 am

A beacon when there's no longer any light.

Radio Shines As A Lifeline As Hurricane Milton Batters Florida

**Posted by Shorty Wave** October 11, 2024 8:53 am

RadioActive wrote:
A beacon when there's no longer any light.

Radio Shines As A Lifeline As Hurricane Milton Batters Florida

When I read this article there was a pop up ad from NAB encouraging people to push for keeping AM radio in cars. Hurricanes and other disasters make a great case for this!

**Posted by RadioActive** October 11, 2024 8:55 am

And then there's this - a rare nearly 4 minute piece on radio-to-the-rescue from CBS News. Some pretty emotional moments and it's hard not to be moved.

How a local radio station became a lifeline after Helene roared through North Carolina