In a disaster, information is survival.
Where’s the storm moving? Is there an evacuation? Is the fire spreading? Where’s help needed — and where should you avoid?
But when the grid goes down, cell networks crash, and Wi-Fi disappears, your smartphone is useless. Having a radio and a list of critical frequencies to monitor becomes your lifeline.
In this guide, we’ll break down the exact frequencies preppers, homesteaders, and off-grid operators should monitor during an emergency. Weather, public safety, HAM, and community channels — all legal, effective, and lifesaving.
Why Monitoring Frequencies Matters
You don’t always need to transmit to be effective in a disaster — sometimes just listening can:
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Keep you ahead of fast-changing threats
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Help you locate safe zones or evacuation routes
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Let you monitor emergency response and logistics
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Prevent you from walking into danger zones
The 8 Frequencies to Monitor
NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies
These frequencies carry nonstop official broadcasts from the National Weather Service, including:
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Storm alerts
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Wildfire updates
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Flash flood warnings
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Hazardous materials alerts
NOAA VHF Frequencies (MHz):
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162.400
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162.425
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162.450
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162.475
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162.500
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162.525
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162.550
Recommended For: Every household, homestead, or bug-out location. Use with any weather radio or scanner that supports WX bands.
Local Fire, EMS, and Police Dispatch (Scanner Frequencies)
Listening to first responders gives you real-time info on:
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Active fires, medical calls, road closures, traffic crashes
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Evacuations, danger zones, and civil disturbances
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Deployment patterns and bottlenecks
Use RadioReference.com to find frequencies by county or city, including:
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Fire ground operations
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EMS tactical channels
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Law enforcement dispatch
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Interagency coordination (often VHF/UHF analog)
Note: Many urban PDs have encrypted channels. Rural and volunteer departments often do not.
HAM Radio Emergency Frequencies
Licensed HAM operators become information relays and lifelines in disasters. Monitor these frequencies for:
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Local check-ins
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Situation reports
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Coordination efforts with Red Cross, FEMA, and others
National HAM Emergency Frequencies:
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146.520 MHz (2m simplex calling frequency)
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146.940 MHz (repeater, varies by region)
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147.000 MHz (common for ARES/RACES groups)
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3.993.5 MHz (HF emergency coordination)
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7.230 MHz (HF regional traffic)
Recommended For: Licensed HAMs or scanners that support VHF/UHF/HF
GMRS/FRS Frequencies
Great for monitoring family groups, local teams, or neighborhood coordination. In many disasters, preppers or volunteers use GMRS to organize supplies, coordinate aid, or check in on neighbors.
Common Channels to Monitor:
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Channel 1 (462.5625 MHz)
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Channel 16 (462.575 MHz)
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Channel 20 (462.675 MHz – often repeater use)
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Channel 22 (462.725 MHz – commonly active)
CB Radio Channels
CB is still widely used by:
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Truckers (Channel 19 = road info)
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Rural communities
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Off-roaders and prepper convoys
Useful Channels:
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Channel 9 (27.065 MHz) – Emergency
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Channel 19 (27.185 MHz) – Road/weather reports
No license required. Good backup in grid-down mobile scenarios.
Marine VHF (Even Inland)
If you live near coasts, rivers, or lakes, monitor marine VHF for:
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Coast Guard bulletins
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Maritime emergencies
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Port closures or evacuations
Marine Channels to Know:
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Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) – Distress & hailing
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Channel 22A (157.100 MHz) – Coast Guard safety info
Many standard scanners include marine band support.
MURS Channels (Unlicensed VHF)
Often overlooked but useful for local tactical use, property monitoring, or neighborhood updates. Legal and unlicensed.
Most Popular Channels:
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151.820 MHz (MURS Channel 1)
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151.880 MHz (MURS Channel 2)
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151.940 MHz (MURS Channel 3)
Less traffic = more signal clarity.
Scanner “Search” Mode
If you’re not sure what to monitor, enable Search/Scan mode on your scanner or dual-band radio and listen for activity across:
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VHF: 144–148 MHz (HAM)
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UHF: 462–467 MHz (GMRS/FRS)
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Fire/EMS/PD bands (varies by area)
This is great for:
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Detecting local activity
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Picking up relay traffic or emergency nets
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Spotting unofficial but useful comms in real-time
Pro Tip: Create a Disaster Frequency Card
Make a laminated cheat sheet with:
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Local NOAA frequency
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County law/fire/EMS dispatch
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GMRS channels used in your area
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HAM repeaters and simplex freqs
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Your programmed radio memory slots
Keep a copy in:
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Your go bag
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Your vehicle
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Your radio case
Final Thoughts
When disaster strikes, your ability to listen may matter more than your ability to talk.
Knowing what’s happening gives you the power to move early, act smart, and avoid panic.
So don’t wait for a storm or blackout to start scanning.
Set your radio now. Listen often. And when the time comes, you’ll already be one step ahead.