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)
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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.
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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.
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