INDIANA — The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) has secured a significant federal grant to improve the state’s severe weather preparedness. The department has been awarded a $150,000 grant from FEMA’s Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) Grant Program.
The funding will be used to purchase and distribute NOAA Weather Radios across Indiana, a move IDHS officials say will strengthen the state’s ability to deliver timely and consistent public warnings.
NOAA Weather Radios are widely regarded as one of the most reliable ways to receive real-time weather alerts directly from the National Weather Service. Unlike smartphone alerts, these devices do not rely on cellular service or the internet.
Crucially, many models are battery-operated, allowing users to stay informed even during power outages caused by extreme weather like tornadoes, flash floods, or high winds—events that often disrupt standard communication networks.
IDHS officials stated that the grant’s primary goal is to ensure every Hoosier has access to critical safety information. The department plans to prioritize distributing these life-saving radios to high-risk areas.
Areas that will be prioritized for radio distribution include:
- Flood plains and riverfront neighborhoods
- Mobile home parks
- Campgrounds
- Industrial zones near waterways
These locations are often disproportionately impacted by severe weather, making reliable, instantaneous warning systems essential for residents’ safety.
The initiative serves as a reminder for all residents to stay weather-ready and consider adding a weather radio to their personal emergency kit, and being informed when a storm hits can be the key difference in staying safe.
