Rep. Moran introduces bill to improve rural radar gaps in East Texas
TYLER, Texas (KETK)– To improve radar gaps in rural areas across East Texas, the Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act, which was created to strengthen weather radar coverage in rural and underserved areas, was reintroduced on Friday by congressmen Nathaniel Moran ( R-TX-01) and Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17)
LIST: Fourth of July festivities happening in East Texas 2025
The act was originally introduced in 2023 and was included in the Weather Act Reauthorization of 2023, which was passed as H.R. 6093. Moran is now reintroducing the act as a standalone bill to emphasize its importance and ensure rural communities are not left behind.
East Texas is nestled between two weather radars in Fort Worth and Shreveport, with neither quite reaching our entire area. In 2023, Moran emphasized the need for a radar system in East Texas.
'For those that did not know this problem existed, we've got this radar system in Fort Worth [and] we've got one in Shreveport. Because they're so far away, we can only see those higher-level features; we can't see the low-level features,' Moran explained.
Man arrested in Angelina County for East Texas church burglary
On Friday, Moran again explained the need for a radar system and how it is a necessity in rural areas.
'When severe weather hits, every second counts,' Congressman Mora said 'But, far too many rural communities lack the radar coverage they need to detect threats in time. This bill directs the National Weather Service to identify areas where rural radar coverage is falling short, so that communities like East Texas can obtain the necessary tools to track storms earlier, respond more effectively, and save lives. While a key part of this effort is already included in the Weather Act Reauthorization of 2025, we're reintroducing this bill to emphasize the necessity for making rural weather safety a national priority. Our families, first responders, and local officials deserve better, and we're working together to deliver it.'
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to identify regulatory, technical, and funding obstacles that hinder or prevent the deployment of modern radar infrastructure.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Three wildfires scorch Boise area in one day. Humans caused all of them
Wildfire season was in full swing in the Treasure Valley on Saturday when fire crews responded to three blazes in a single day. Officials said humans were responsible for all of them. The Homer Fire began at about 4:30 p.m. Saturday in the Eagle Foothills, about 1.5 miles north of Beacon Light Road and half a mile west of Linder Road, according to a social media post from the Boise District Bureau of Land Management. The agency said the fire spread to 366 acres before crews successfully contained it by creating a line around its perimeter to stop the spread at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, and extinguished it by 2:30 p.m. The Star Fire Department had issued an alert to nearby residents at 5:06 p.m. before canceling it at 8:05 p.m. Saturday. 'We are responding to a brush fire in the area of West Homer Road and North Linder Road,' the alert stated. 'Calmly evacuate the area from the intersection of Homer and Linder if you live North of Homer to the East at North Skyline Drive and follow instructions from police and fire officials.' Officials began sounding the alarm about a second fire, dubbed the Tencole Fire, at about 5 p.m. Saturday. The Tencole Fire, east of Kuna near South Cole Road and Tenmile Creek, grew to 280 acres, according to the Bureau of Land Management. Firefighters contained it by 6 p.m. and extinguished it by 8 p.m., the agency said. The Homer and Tencole fires were caused by humans, but exactly what happened is still under investigation, BLM spokesperson Chad Cline told the Idaho Statesman. Fire crews also responded to a brush fire at 10:15 p.m. near Discovery Park in Lucky Peak State Park along Idaho Highway 21, the agency said. They were able to quickly contain it within the hour. Cline said the Discovery Park fire was caused by exhaust particles from a vehicle. He advised people traveling to make sure to inspect their trailer bearings, ensure all tires have proper tread and check that chains are wrapped up. The lack of snow in the Treasure Valley has meant that grass isn't dying off in the winter and remains drier than usual, creating extra fuel for fires, according to Cline. 'We still have grass crops from the last two years, because we haven't got quite the snow pack down in the Valley, so there's a lot of carry-over grasses,' Cline said by phone. 'They're seeing drier fuel moisture than they have in the past, so it just allows the fire to carry quickly. Everything can catch fire pretty easy now, because it is so thick.' Fire experts have warned that a variety of factors could mean an intense fire season is in store for the Gem State. Gov. Brad Little expressed concern that state lawmakers did not approve enough money to fight Idaho fires this year, despite signing off on the funding bill. 'Simply put, if we have a bad fire year, the amount the Legislature appropriated for fire suppression will not be enough to cover the bills for the fires the state is responsible for,' he wrote in his transmittal letter, as he signed the bill that allocated the funding. The week of the Fourth of July has historically been a time when fires are more prevalent, often sparked by people lighting off illegal fireworks. In light of wildfire concerns, the Ada County Board of Commissioners voted June 17 to ban fireworks in parts of the county. 'Fireworks could cause massive wildfires close to residential areas if they're shooting them and they go in dry, tall grass,' Cline said. 'So that stuff can pose a problem for firefighters. If we can eliminate that factor, then it would keep our firefighters and our public land safe.'
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Sunny, stormy, a chance of snow? Your Canada Day 2025 forecast
Canada Day is almost here and all eyes are on the forecast. Will the weather cooperate with your cookouts and fireworks shows this year? Conditions are looking good across most of the country for Tuesday—with a couple of notable exceptions. Here's a look at what you can expect for your holiday plans ahead. DON'T MISS: How quintessentially Canadian will the weather prove to be this Canada Day? Let's take a look at the Maple Leaf Scale to judge your conditions from 'low Canadian vibes' to 'peak Canadian weather.' Warm and sunny conditions will dominate the holiday for many major cities across Western Canada from British Columbia to Manitoba. While some areas like Kelowna and Medicine Hat will see above-seasonal temperatures, we're not looking at any stifling heat for your outdoor holiday plans. Dry weather is in the cards for most of the region through Tuesday afternoon. Areas north of Edmonton, as well as in northern B.C., could see some showers interrupt your evening plans. But otherwise conditions are looking great for most—make sure to get out and enjoy it if you can. Nature may put on its own fireworks display for some communities on Tuesday as an active pattern slides east through the day. RELATED: Portions of southern and eastern Ontario will start the day with a risk for showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday morning, which could linger into the afternoon hours. The good news, though, is that clearing is likely in time for evening fireworks. Things are looking more unsettled in southern Quebec through the second half of Tuesday, with scattered showers and thunderstorms here likely disrupting any outdoor gatherings. Showers approaching Atlantic Canada may hold off late enough for most fireworks shows, though cloud cover will increase as the system approaches the region. We couldn't kick off the month of July without talking about a lingering snow threat at least somewhere in the country. Temperatures may be cold enough for a few spots in Nunavut to witness some snowfall. And, really, what's more Canadian than a touch of snow in the summer? Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across Canada. Click here to view the video
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Severe thunderstorms hit Wisconsin, lead to Camp Randall evacuation
Thunderstorms on Sunday, June 29 led to storm warnings across the state and caused an outdoor concert in Madison to be temporarily evacuated. As of 8 p.m. Milwaukee County was experiencing over 7,000 power outages. Taylor Patterson, meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Sullivan, said that quarter-size hail was reported in Shawano, WI. A flood advisory from the National Weather Service is in effect for portions of Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties until 11:15 p.m. on June 29. Patterson said that most flooding concerns were advisory, and that areas with one to two inches of rain may see ponding or pooling of water near drains. Meanwhile, a severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect until 9 p.m. in Fond du Lac, Dane, Green, Iowa, Lafayette and Dodge counties. The Wisconsin Badgers X account announced at 6:31 p.m. that Morgan Wallen's concert at Camp Randall was being evacuated due to severe weather. Half an hour later, the account posted that the evacuation was lifted and fans could return to their seats. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: wisconsin thunderstorms camp randall evacuation
