Channel 3000 Weather: De Pere hands out free NOAA radios as severe weather week begins
DE PERE, Wis. — The De Pere Health Department is giving away free NOAA weather radios to city residents during Severe Weather Awareness Week, with the effort aimed at helping people stay prepared when severe weather threatens. The channel 3000 weather focus on preparedness comes as officials urge residents to have a backup alert system in case of power outages or cell phone limits. Residents can pick up a radio at the city’s health department, 335 S. Broadway, between 11 a. m. and 1 p. m. ET.
The giveaway is only for De Pere residents, and people must show a driver’s license or utility bill. the radios can alert users to threats ranging from tornadoes to blizzards and can tell people when they need to take shelter.
What residents get and why it matters
Each radio is designed to work in more than one way, with battery power, solar power and a hand crank. Sara Lornson, deputy health officer, said the backup options matter if a long-term outage leaves people without normal access to information. The radios also include a port to charge cell phones.
Lornson said many people rely on their phones for weather information, but that does not always cover every situation. She said the radios still deliver the same alerts and are important for keeping people informed during severe weather. The radios also come with a preparedness guide that offers tips for building an emergency kit.
the radios usually go fast, so people who want one may want to arrive early. Weather radios can also be found at major retailers and hardware stores for about $25 to $35.
Officials stress preparedness during Severe Weather Awareness Week
The giveaway is part of a broader push to encourage residents to get ready before storms arrive. Brown County leaders held a news conference Monday morning to highlight emergency preparedness and share safety tips as Tornado & Severe Weather Awareness Week began in Wisconsin. Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach said the goal is education and making sure the community is prepared for severe weather.
Brown County Emergency Management Director Daniel Kane said the purpose of the week is to encourage the public to become more informed and more resilient to severe weather threats. Wisconsin averages 23 tornadoes per year, and the state had 39 confirmed tornadoes in 2025.
Tests, drills and next steps
Statewide tornado drills are set for Thursday at 1: 45 p. m. ET and 6: 45 p. m. ET. National Weather Service offices will conduct NOAA weather radio tests at those times, and some communities may also sound outdoor warning sirens.
For De Pere residents, the immediate step is simple: bring the required proof of residency, pick up a radio during the giveaway window, and keep it ready as the region enters a period where severe weather can move fast. In the channel 3000 weather conversation now unfolding across Northeast Wisconsin, officials are making the same point from two directions: get informed early, and do not wait until a storm is already on top of you.
