随着夏季的到来，飓风季节也随之而来，无线电的重要性在自然灾害发生时体现得淋漓尽致。无线电具有独特的能力，在发生灾难时能够到达偏远地区，在提供通信和信息方面，无线电仍然是危机时刻最脆弱群体的生命线。
The fall of 2017 was one of the most active Atlantic hurricane seasons on record, and in Puerto Rico, which experienced immense damage from multiple storms, the recovery and rebuilding process continues today. The strength of radio following the hurricane in Puerto Rico sparked a 100,000+ audience boost in news radio listenership on the island.
波多黎各是尼尔森广播日记市场，刚刚发布的 2018 年冬季调查显示，由于去年的动荡天气，收听新闻格式广播电台的人数有所增加。
在冬季调查中，共收回 3000 多份日记，其中 800 多份附有意见，55 份反馈了在风暴期间使用无线电的必要性。
这些评论反映了遭受飓风破坏的人们的亲身经历，他们最终将无线电视为与家人和朋友沟通的生命线。调查期间日记保存者的一些评论：
"我是 AM 电台的忠实听众，因为当飓风玛丽亚来袭时，它能让我了解波多黎各的最新情况。很多人都听广播，因为这是了解家人和朋友情况以及陪伴我的唯一方式。因此，它是一种很好的媒体形式，我从小就开始收听。谢谢你们让我参与其中"。
"由于飓风'艾玛'和'玛丽亚'，波多黎各的通讯工具遭到破坏，唯一（我们还能接收到的）电台是 WKAQ 和 WAPA 电台，它们提供了很多信息，我至今仍在收听。
“During our time of need due to Hurricanes Irma and Maria, radio was vital in providing information regarding the situation in Puerto Rico and in keeping us informed regarding our friends and family since we lost all communications, especially WKAQ & WAPA radio.”
“The radio stations that I have listened to during the last three months are due to Hurricane Maria. Before the hurricane I would only watch TV. I really like this change in my life and I’ve continued the habit.”
These stories are just a small snapshot that reflect the human experience behind this catastrophe and radio’s seminal role in providing essential information, news of loved ones and even companionship during this natural disaster. As such, it comes as no surprise that audio remains the top weekly reach medium, with 93% of U.S. adults listening to radio every week.
Photo credit: Marjorie Sanjurjo.
