Issaquah launches radio station

Issaquah's radio station is officially up and running. The city's own radio station, 1700 AM, is geared toward providing residents information during emergencies.

Issaquah’s radio station is officially up and running.

The city’s own radio station, 1700 AM, is geared toward providing residents information during emergencies.

During an emergency, city and public safety officers can post messages to the station. The station will also carry all hazard alerts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as for Amber Alerts.

Signs with solar-powered flashing lights have been set up around the city to notify citizens when urgent messages are playing on 1700 AM. The signs are located at the intersection of Front Street and Northwest Gilman Boulevard, and also at the intersection of East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast and 229th Avenue Southeast.

“The more options we have for effectively communicating with our citizens during emergencies, the better,” Issaquah Mayor Ava Frisinger said in a press release. “I urge each of our residents and businesses to be proactive and keep a battery-powered AM radio, as well as extra batteries, in their emergency preparedness kits.”

When there is no emergency situation, the station will play city news, traffic updates and community events information.