CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - It’s impossible to plan for the variables of Mother Nature. Unfortunately one of WMT Radio's three tall towers, which has weathered the elements for many decades, was bent to the ground by the hurricane force high winds Monday, knocking the powerful and legendary radio station off the air.
Only three stations on the dial in the market managed to stay on the air on Monday:
- KKSY-FM 96.5 Kiss Country in Cedar Rapids
- 100.7 KKRQ The Fox in Iowa City
- 800 KXIC in Iowa City
The radio stations were able to simulcast the emergency weather information from weather partner KCRG TV 9 during and after the storm to pass along important safety and recovery information.
The WMT Radio Newsroom is broadcasting updated news and information on these same sister radio stations in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, on the 600 WMT iHeart Radio app, and more updated information is posted online at WMTradio.com.
WMT Cedar Rapids Senior Vice President of Programming JJ Cook says, "iHeartmedia employs the best broadcast engineers in the country and they have been able to assemble an emergency response team and the resources needed to get our stations back on the air as soon as possible to serve the public."
All iHeart radio stations are also available via the free iHeart Radio app any time, any where, and 600 WMT is continuing to broadcast live on the app. CLICK HERE to download the free iHeart Radio app on your cell phone.
“In my career I’ve been in several tornadoes, a real hurricane, countless storms, multiple floods, and blizzards." Cook tells WMT Radio News. "But, I have never seen such widespread destruction in such a short amount of time.” He says.
“We have a fantastic team here, who are dedicated and working round the clock to keep Eastern Iowa safe.”
Listen for Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area news updates on:
- KKSY-FM 96.5 Kiss Country in Cedar Rapids
- 100.7 KKRQ The Fox in Iowa City
- 800 KXIC in Iowa City
Fallen tower photo by Raleigh Reubenking