WESR and Coastal Country Resume Broadcasting via Streaming After Fire

Eastern Shore Radio has transitioned its broadcasting operations to online streaming following a devastating fire that destroyed the transmitter house for two of its prominent Virginia stations. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of April 7, 2026, knocked both The Shore WESR-FM (103.3) and Coastal Country WESR-AM (1330 AM and FM translator W289CE at 105.7) off the air.

The fire broke out at approximately 2:20 a.m. On April 7 in Onley-Onancock, Virginia. The blaze was first reported by a neighbor and escalated quickly, necessitating a large-scale response from fire units across seven nearby communities. While firefighters were able to contain the scene, the intensity of the fire resulted in the total loss of both the main and auxiliary transmitters.

Rapid Transition to Digital Streaming

In response to the loss of terrestrial broadcasting capabilities, Eastern Shore Radio shifted its focus to digital accessibility to maintain its connection with the local community. Streaming services for both WESR-FM and Coastal Country were restored nearly 12 hours after the fire occurred on April 7.

Station owner Charlie Russell and General Manager Will Russell have confirmed that the shift to streaming allows the stations to continue serving their audience while the physical infrastructure is repaired. The transition highlights the critical role of digital backups in modern broadcasting when physical hardware is compromised.

Infrastructure Assessment and Recovery Efforts

Despite the destruction of the transmitter house, a significant piece of the broadcasting chain remained intact. General Manager Will Russell confirmed that a newly installed tower was undamaged during the fire.

To restore traditional over-the-air service, management has already secured a replacement building to be brought on-site. The goal is to establish a backup temporary broadcasting status within a week of the incident. Engineers are currently assessing the site to determine which specific components can be salvaged and which must be fully replaced.

I hope You can make haste and get back to serving our community

Will Russell, General Manager

Regarding the cause of the blaze, Will Russell indicated that it is uncertain if the exact cause will ever be discovered, though the company intends to implement measures to ensure such an event does not happen again.

Community Impact and Support

The loss of the transmitters affected two distinct formats: the adult contemporary programming of The Shore and the country music of Coastal Country. The stations serve as vital sources of news and entertainment for the Onley-Onancock area.

Both the Russell family and station management expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support received from local listeners. Charlie Russell specifically thanked the volunteer fire responders who responded to the emergency call on April 7.

Efforts to return to traditional broadcasting are ongoing, with hopes of returning to over-the-air service during the weekend of April 11-12 or shortly thereafter.