North Bend is purchasing radio equipment that will allow residents to tune their radios to an AM station for information about evacuations, fires, Amber Alerts and other emergencies.

Following the November 2006 flooding, North Bend partnered with the city of Snoqualmie to obtain a license to operate the emergency radio station in the Upper Snoqualmie Valley.

“The floods and power outages of 2006 were very devastating to this community,” said Councilmember Dave Cook, who voted to approve the purchase. “I’m very glad to see — and I’m sure our citizens will be glad to see — that we’re continuing to make public safety disaster improvements to North Bend.”

City Administrator Duncan Wilson said the station could also be used to broadcast tourist information.

Public Works Director Ron Garrow expected the system to be up and running within two months. The equipment cost North Bend about $40,000.