It could have been a lot worse for radio considering the worst-case scenarios that were predicted as Hurricane Milton approached. Now that the storm has passed and the clean-up begins the Federal Communications Commission reports 14 radio stations are known to be off the air. The FCC says the list includes 10 FMs and four AMs across the region. It did not specify which stations or markets, however.
The update includes all stations that reported into the FCC’s Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS) on Thursday (Oct. 10). It means that many more stations could be off the air and were unable to report, as well as the possibility that some that did say they were silent have since gotten back up and running. Based on previous storms, including the recent Hurricane Helene, it is likely the number of silent stations will rise in the coming days as more broadcasters gain access to the web-based DIRS or the FCC’s spectrum sweeps to determine which stations are on and off the air.
While wind and a storm surge did cause some issues, power remains the biggest hurdle for many broadcasters. The storm has left several counties, including Hillsborough County and Tampa, nearly completely without any working electricity. Three other counties east of Sarasota — DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands — are just as bad, according to Florida Power and Light Company’s outage map.
Three television stations are also reported dark. Cable and wireline companies reported nearly 1.3 million subscribers out of service in the disaster area. That includes the loss of telephone, television, and internet services. The combination of widespread power outages and no TV or cable service for many Floridians means the role of broadcast radio is once again proving to be vital during a natural disaster.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Wednesday night, and the FCC says the biggest impact has been on cell phone service. It reports that 12.3% of cell sites in the affected area are out of service. Several counties are much worse off, such as Sarasota County, where nearly half (47%) of cell phone towers are offline. Other hard-hit counties include Polk (46%), Manatee (38%), Hardee (37%), and Highlands (36%).
The FCC is asking stations to continue filing daily status updates into DIRS by 9am (ET) each day until the system is deactivated. Daily status updates let the agency know whether stations remain on the air, how equipment has withstood the storm, and any issues with power or backup generators. They also allow the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau to track stations off the air and how restoration efforts are progressing.
Users will be asked about the status of their communications equipment, restoration efforts, and power, including whether they’re using commercial power or backup power. In the system, the activation will have the “Hurricane Milton” labeling.
The counties where DIRS remains activated include: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, DeSoto, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Glades, Hamilton, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lake, Lee, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia.
In addition to radio and television stations, the system also traces wireless, cable TV, and satellite providers, as well as local emergency services’ communications networks. DIRS can be accessed HERE.
Need Help? Here’s Who To Contact
The FCC will remain on standby for stations seeking special temporary authority (STA) during the storm. Stations still need to file STA requests. But because of the emergency, the Media Bureau is allowing stations to file a request in an informal letter or email — or, if necessary, by phone — if a broadcaster can’t access the Licensing Management System (LMS).
The contact for FM stations during the storm is Dale Bickel: 202-418-2706 or Dale.Bickel@fcc.gov.
For AM stations, the contact is Jerome Manarchuck: 202-418-7226 or Jerome.Manarchuck@fcc.gov.
The Media Bureau says the FCC Operations Center will also be operating 24 hours a day to handle emergency requests and other issues. It can be reached at 202-418-1122 or by email at FCCOPS@fcc.gov.
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