FLORIDA PUBLIC MEDIA stations provide a critical link in the state’s Emergency Management Network during a crisis. Through our statewide network, our stations provide important weather, safety and evacuation information to help protect residents during storms, hurricanes and other severe weather events.
Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN), a collective of 13 public radio stations that reach 99% of Florida’s population, are stay on-air during times of crisis to broadcast real-time updates from the Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
Headquartered at WUFT-FM/TV on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, FPREN delivers local and regional information during emergencies and is part of the national Emergency Alert System (EAS).
During hurricane season and other states of emergency, The Florida Channel broadcasts live, closed-captioned coverage of briefings from the Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee.
In 2020, FPREN partnered with Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the Florida Association of Broadcasters (FAB), and the Florida Outdoor Advertising Association (FOAA) to launch a statewide communications initiative, Know Your Zone, Know Your Home.
Know Your Zone, Know Your Home emphasizes the importance of knowing what zone you live in and whether your home can withstand strong winds and heavy rain.
Every year it’s important for residents to know if they live an evacuation zone, a low-lying, flood prone area, a mobile home or an unsafe structure during hurricane season. These areas and buildings are most likely to be evacuated and knowing these zones helps Floridians prepare to evacuate and better understand orders from local officials.
It is also very important for residents to know their home. If an evacuation order is not issued for your area and your house is not in an evacuation zone, you may consider shelt
ering in place.
FPREN teams provide up-to-the minute weather and news reports during severe weather events on radio and social media.
Florida Public Media’s statewide infrastructure provides easy access to information during emergencies, with special signage along state evacuation routes to identify public radio stations in the area.
In 2019, WUFT and FPREN were honored by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was presented with the Community Lifeline Award for its outstanding dedication to public service.
In 2018, FPREN received the 2018 Public Information Award at the 32nd Annual Governor’s Hurricane Conference® Awards held in West Palm Beach.
The Florida Public Radio Emergency Network partner stations are
- WUWF FM – Pensacola
- WFSU FM – Tallahassee
- WKGC FM – Panama City
- WUFT FM – Gainesville/Ocala
- WJCT FM – Jacksonville
- WMFE FM – Orlando
- WUCF FM – Orlando
- WMNF FM – Tampa/St.Petersburg
- WUSF FM – Tampa/St.Petersburg
- WFIT FM – Melbourne
- WQCS FM – Ft. Pierce
- WGCU FM – Ft. Myers/Naples
- WLRN FM – Miami
- WDNA FM – Miami
FLORIDA STORMS APP: Developed exclusively for FPREN, the Florida Storms app displays fast, interactive radar and local storm information from the National Weather Service and provides real-time information to promote public safety during any weather hazard.
Everything you need, nothing you don’t. Florida Storms is not just another weather app with a radar. It’s a clean and fast interactive map that alerts you to every storm, while at the same time delivers credible real- time audio and text alerts from
FPREN.
Using a combination of Baron’s exclusive storm track algorithms and the
expertise of a meteorologist, you’re certain to receive the most up- to- date information on any potential weather hazard.Get notifications from the National Hurricane Center, find evacuation routes, check dangerous storm paths, or review a checklist of items for preparedness before, during and after a storm.
Florida Storms is the fastest, simplest way to stay informed of Mother Nature’s next move.
Download it FREE on ITunes & Google Play.
SOCIAL MEDIA: You can follow Florida Storms on Twitter – @FloridaStorms and on Facebook – Florida Storms.
