PRINCETON — Having a NOAA weather radio could mean the difference between life and death, according to Kris Donarski, director of the Bureau County Emergency Services Disaster Agency.

On Monday, Donarski said using a NOAA weather radio is the No. 1 thing people can do to protect themselves from a severe weather outbreak. The radios are relatively inexpensive and are available at area retail stores. People should make sure the radio is equipped with an alarm which will go off when severe weather is approaching their county, she said.

Since many storms happen at night when people are sleeping, they may not hear any warning sirens which could be issued by a town, Donarski said. The NOAA radio alarm is definitely loud and will wake people up so they can listen to the weather news, learn what kind of storm is approaching and take the necessary steps to get to safety, she said.