LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Michigan weather may be unpredictable, but Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) says emergency alerts shouldn’t be.
Peters teamed up with Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) to reintroduce the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act. The measure would boost transmitters in weak-signal areas, expand warnings beyond weather alerts, and direct federal standards for flash-flood systems in floodplains.
“In our state, weather can change on a dime,” Peters said. “That’s why we must have modernized and accessible emergency alert systems, as well as a team of full-time meteorologists working around the clock to notify the public as quickly as possible.”
The bill also shields certain National Weather Service jobs from hiring freezes.
Notably, this is Peters’ second storm-prep effort this year, after the FORECAST Act, which seeks to keep forecasting desks staffed regardless of pauses on new personnel.