In addition to bringing you your favorite programs, PBS and local member stations like Nine PBS play a crucial role in protecting communities by ensuring uninterrupted distribution of Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs), including severe weather warnings and AMBER alerts. This service is part of public television’s commitment to strengthening the safety of all our communities.
This service provides uninterrupted wireless emergency alerts even in the worst of storms. That’s especially important in areas with unreliable internet connections, like St. Louis, where 21% of homes in the city and 11% in the county do not have internet access.*
What’s more, Missouri ranks 43rd out of the 50 states for citizen access to broadband (a high-speed internet connection). Rural areas have fewer emergency preparedness resources and rely more on broadcast as a backup source. Of the 31 counties in Nine PBS's media market, 26 are overwhelmingly rural.
Without federal funding and consistent congressional support for nearly 50 years, these lifesaving services would not be available. Every day, public media stations act as strong community partners offering local news, entertainment, children’s educational programming, and more.
But when disasters strike, these same stations become first responders. As the communities affected by these storms begin the long process of rebuilding, their public media stations will be with them every step of the way.
According to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, ice storms, tornadoes, severe storms, and flooding are all common occurrences in Missouri. Since 1990, Missouri has received 50 federal major disaster declarations.
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, one of the most devastating in recent history, demonstrates public media’s role in protecting their communities. Residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton turned to one of the only reliable sources of information available: their local public media stations.
At Nine PBS, we’re proud to be able to support our community in many ways. Thank you for your support of public media.
