NOAA WEATHER RADIO -
ALL HAZARDS BROADCAST SERVICE COMES TO AMERICAN SAMOA

The NOAA National Weather Service Office (WSO) in Pago Pago, American Samoa,
in cooperation with the government of American Samoa, commissioned a NOAA
Weather Radio -- All Hazards transmitter on Sept.

24. American Samoa can now receive NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) -- All Hazards
broadcasts which are available in all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the U.S.
Pacific Territories. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is
an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

When severe weather conditions are expected, notification of these
conditions will be generated by the Pago Pago WSO and transmitted directly
to NWR receivers. This system allows the WSO to send weather statements and
warnings straight from the forecaster to the public.

Through a memorandum of agreement between the National Weather Service
Pacific Region and the Governor of American Samoa, funding was provided by
the Department of Homeland Security to procure NWR transmitters and related
equipment to establish an Emergency Alert System (EAS) capable NOAA Weather
Radio - All Hazards broadcast for the territory of American Samoa.

"This means the people of American Samoa now have access to the potentially
life-saving broadcasts from NOAA Weather Radio regardless of the threat,"
said Jeff LaDouce, director of the National Weather Service Pacific Region.
"NOAA Weather Radio -- All Hazards service in American Samoa is yet another
example of how the Territory of American Samoa is using partnerships with
local and federal agencies to benefit all Samoa residents."

"The new NOAA Weather Radio -- All Hazards broadcast will help us receive
timely information on potentially disastrous weather events, such as flood
conditions, tsunamis, hurricanes, and once EAS equipment is procured and
installed, it will allow emergency management information to flow easily to
all media outlets and reach all of American Samoa, thus meeting our Homeland
Security requirements," said Birdie Ala'ilima, American Samoa Homeland
Security director.

"The NOAA Weather Radio -- All Hazards broadcasts will significantly
increase our ability to reach our community directly with critical
warnings," said Toafa Vaiaga'e, director, Territorial Emergency Management
Coordinating Office. "This increases a layer of protection for our
residents, now that NOAA Weather Radio --All Hazards receivers with an alarm
will promptly warn of impending threats to our families and their
properties."
Residents on the island of Tutuila can tune in to 162.40 MHz (Weather
Channel 2) to hear the NOAA Weather Radio -- All Hazards broadcasts. The
system works in most parts of the island, depending on the immediate terrain
between the transmitter and the receiver. Plans are taking shape to extend
coverage to all of American Samoa.

The NOAA Weather Radio -- All Hazards network has more than 900 stations,
covering all 50 states, adjacent coastal waters, Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands and U.S. Pacific territories. There are eight NOAA Weather
Radio transmitters in the Hawaiian Islands, Guam, and Saipan. Some NOAA
Weather Radio -- All Hazards receivers automatically sound an alarm and turn
on if a severe weather warning, or civil emergency, is broadcast in a
specific area. Most NOAA Weather Radio --All Hazards receivers are either
battery-operated portables or AC-powered desktop models with battery backup.
Some scanners, HAM radios, CB radios, short wave receivers and marine VHF
radios also are capable of receiving NOAA Weather Radio -- All Hazards
transmissions.

NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data,
forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA's
Weather Service operates the most advanced weather warning and forecast
system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the
national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through
research to better understand weather and climate-related events and to
manage wisely the nation's coastal and marine resources.

Media contacts:
Tracey Lake (907) 271-3508
Akapo K. Akapo (684) 669-9130

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/pa/fstories/fs1oct2004c.php