BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the Tallahassee NOAA Weather Radio input experienced significant disruptions, losing its output signal at a particularly troubling time when severe weather was on the horizon. The National Weather Service (NWS), which manages the radio broadcasts, confirmed the outage, stating, "THE TALLAHASSEE NOAA WEATHER RADIO TLH IS DOWN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE." The agency has opened a trouble ticket with Verizon, the service provider, to expedite repairs, but the situation remains unresolved as residents prepare for impending severe weather.
According to forecasts from the National Weather Service, residents across Bay County are bracing for strong thunderstorms accompanied by damaging winds and the threat of large tornadoes. The severe weather is expected to roll through the area overnight, with the earliest arrival anticipated between 9 p.m. and midnight on Saturday and lasting until approximately 4 a.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025. The storm is projected to clear out by 7 a.m., but emergency service officials are urging the public to stay vigilant.
Emergency Services officials are closely monitoring the developing situation. Given the current NOAA radio outage, residents are advised to take precautionary measures by signing up for AlertBay — the local notification system — to receive timely updates and alerts concerning the severe weather. A spokesperson from the NWS emphasized the importance of having multiple means to receive weather updates, stating, "Obviously, the timing is terrible, but serves as a reminder to have multiple ways to receive weather updates." The message resonates deeply, as the NOAA radio has been known to be the primary source for weather-related alerts.
This is not the first occurrence of service disruption. Just last week, during record rainfall on March 9, 2025, Tallahassee residents reported static on their NOAA radios. On this day, the city recorded 4.25 inches of rain, surpassing the previous day's record of 2.75 inches, dating back to 1948.
Verizon reported after the March 9 incident it restored service by the next morning, attributing the earlier radio issues to hardware malfunctions caused by a third-party vendor. Despite these previous issues, the recent failure of the NOAA weather radio has stirred frustration among residents eager for weather updates.
Don Van Dyke, a meteorologist at the NWS Tallahassee, noted, "There's a very loud hum on the line," indicating the need for urgent repairs and the challenges faced by the NWS with radio communications. Repair crews from Verizon have been dispatched, yet as of Saturday afternoon, the issue persisted, leading to calls for heightened awareness among the public. Acknowledging the inconvenience of the outage, the NWS remarked, "We apologize for the inconvenience, but this issue is out of our hands. We will provide updates as they come."
For Bay County residents, the importance of diligent weather monitoring cannot be understated. Authorities encourage individuals to enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on their mobile devices. Most cell phones have this feature enabled by default; these alerts provide emergency messages transmitted through mobile carriers from authorized governmental bodies, including local and state public safety agencies.
Those with iPhones can easily activate weather notifications by adjusting settings to receive alerts from weather applications. Android users have similar capacities, allowing for customization of emergency alerts. This guidance aims to equip residents with alternative methods to stay informed during severe weather events.
With forecasts predicting turbulent conditions, the public must heed warnings and take the necessary steps to safeguard themselves and their loved ones. The Bay County Emergency Services and National Weather Service are working tirelessly to keep communities safe, but residents bear the responsibility to remain alert and proactive.
Authorities urge the community to stay tuned to reliable media sources and maintain their weather alert settings on all devices. Whether through apps, texts, or local news stations, having updated information can make all the difference when conditions become severe.
Residents should remain cautious, prepared for strong storms, and utilize available technology to stay informed as the weather situation evolves. The importance of weather awareness has never been clearer, particularly during this disconcerting time when traditional communication channels like the NOAA Weather Radio face unexpected challenges.