At WYFF 4 we are proud to serve the community we have been a part of for 54 years.

Part of our commitment includes keeping you and your loved ones safe.

This spring we embarked on a new effort, thanks to a unique partnership with Bi-Lo supermarkets were able to offer weather alert radios at a deeply discounted price.

Thousands of radios have been sold, and since a portion of each sale goes to bi-lo charities, we are pleased that more than $15,000 will soon help local families.

We are thankful so many families were able to take part in our weather alert radio project.

If you were not able to purchase a weather alert radio at Bi-Lo, we urge you to do so wherever they are sold.

Because as we've seen time and time again severe weather is not uncommon in the Carolinas.

In March, a tornado touched down in Newberry County and more than 45 homes were seriously damaged, two of them destroyed.

Thankfully no one was seriously hurt.

Whether the next threat comes from a tornado, a severe thunderstorm or flooding, a portable weather radio can bring the National Weather Service warnings into your home or car.

Once triggered, the alert message gets to your radio in less than four seconds, giving you and your family time to act.

When severe weather strikes, a weather alert radio combined with television severe weather updates are the best ways to keep families informed about dangerous life threatening situations.