Walgreens adds weather alerts to outdoor signs

DEERFIELD, Ill. Walgreens has teamed up with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s (NOAA) National Weather Service to alert customers and passersby of impending severe weather.

Under the agreement Walgreens is able to access data about approaching storms, then post updates to any of its 3,300 electronic outdoor signs in affected areas. The drug store chain will link to NOAA’s data feed every five minutes to provide timely and pertinent details as severe weather draws near. Walgreens locations with electronic signs represent more than half of the company’s 6,443 stores nationwide.

“Our highly visible corner locations give us a unique opportunity to provide this valuable service to communities,” said Walgreen director of community affairs John Gremer. “Severe weather warnings are potential lifesavers, and what better place to make this information available than a source that captures the attention of millions of people everyday?”