Ocean County Stormwatch

The first signs of winter have certainly appeared over the past few days and they mean different things to different people. For some the first snow flurries immediately put them in the holiday spirit while it’s a sure sign that ski season has arrived. Others fall into a depression knowing that weeks of cold weather are coming and summer is a long way off….I guess I would fall into that category. However for the purpose of today’s segment what snow and cold weather means to us at the radio station is that Stormwatch season is here. That is our program in which we get the word out to you when schools and other activities are closed, postponed or delayed due to bad weather.

For the past couple of years we have been implementing a computer-based program and each year we tell you that the day is coming in which you will not be able to get information to our listeners without access to the internet. To help with the transition we worked with groups and organizations during this period who did not have computers or anyone who could handle this task.

However that period is over and starting now the only way you can
be part of Stormwatch is via the computer and our websites.

All schools, groups and organizations regardless of their size must be registered in our Stormwatch to get their closing and cancellations announced on the radio and posted on our website. That is one of the beauties of this hole thing….you do not have to wait to call in during a certain period and the information can be viewed any time of the day and night. Of course we will still make the announcements on the air like we’ve done since WOBM began broadcasting on March 1, 1968. However knowing that you have busy lifestyles the information is also there for you to see when you need it.

WOBM’s Stormwatch program is FREE and open to all groups and organizations. However you must register in advance and it only takes five minutes to fill out the application which you can do on line by visiting wobm.com and finding the Stormwatch section. Should you have problems call Joyce during normal business hours at (732) 269-0927. For those organizations that can’t access a computer we suggest a phone chain as the best way to communicate with one another.

Change can be hard to accept and deal with but in this case we’re making them as a way to serve the majority of our listeners.