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WEATHER ALERT FUNDS — Fifth District Congressman
Virgil Goode was proud to present Halifax County officials with a
$69,600 check on Friday to
be used to purchase an emergency weather radio
transmitter. Here the
Congressman (left) is shown presenting the check to
William I.
Fitzgerald, chairman of the Halifax County Board of
Supervisors, Allen
Bobar, Emergency Services Coordinator for Halifax
County, Sheriff D. J.
Oakes, Ellen Matthews Davis of the Virginia Rural
Development Office of
the USDA, Jacqueline Rosier of the Federal Office of
USDA , Michael
Cocker, VDEM Region 3 Coordinator and David A. Wert
of the National
Weather Service. (SOMcL photo)
Halifax County was one of seven localities receiving funds for weather
radio transmitter grants which will alert residents of approaching
dangerous weather and other emergencies, including natural,
environmental and public safety alerts.
Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode, along with officials of the
United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, both
federal and state, came to the Mary Bethune Complex to present a
$69,600 check to local officials on Friday afternoon.
Ellen M. Davis, Virginia State Director for USDA's Rural Development
Office, said the funds will make possible the purchase and installation
of a new 24 hour a day emergency weather radio transmitter and
equipment which will be the latest in modern communications.
Back in March Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns announced the award of
more than $415,000 in grants for weather radio transmitters to extend
the coverage of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR) early warning system to seven rural
communities.
"With the tragedy of the tornadoes hitting towns in Arkansas, Missouri,
Alabama and Georgia recently, we have heard national broadcsters saying
everyone should have a NOAA Weather Radio," Johanns said. "These seven
grants to rural communities who do not have coverage from NOAAWeather
Radio Transmitters will help save lives."
In addition to Halifax County, Nenana, Alaska, a North Dakota electic
company, another in Nebraska, the Department of Emergency Management in
Wythe County, a Michigan Emergency Services Department and an electric
cooperative in Tennessee also received grant funding for the radio
transmitters.
"We are extremely grateful for this grant," said Allen Bobar, Emergency
Services Coordinator for Halifax County. "It will be very helpful for
our department."