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 Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan allows
businesses to resume operations with outdoor seating. Many
restaurants have erected tents to accommodate their customers and
provide shade from the summer sun. However, it is important to
remember that a tent is not an appropriate shelter during severe
weather.
“Given the threat for severe weather, I urge all business owners to
have an emergency action plan to keep customers safe,” said IEMA
Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Make sure you have more than one way
to receive emergency weather alerts and notifications, and take
action in a timely manner to protect your customers and staff before
weather strikes.”
Severe Weather Preparedness tips include:
KNOW THE TERMS
Familiarize yourself with important weather terms to
stay alert and know when to take action to protect yourself and
others.
Severe Thunderstorm Watch – conditions are favorable for the
development of severe thunderstorms containing large hail and
damaging winds.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning – large hail and/or damaging wind
has been reported by spotters, or is about to develop. Take action -
Go to a substantial shelter immediately.
Tornado Watch – conditions are favorable for the development
of tornadoes.
Tornado Warning – a
tornado has been reported by spotters, or National Weather Service
meteorologists have determined that one is about to form in the next
several minutes. Take Action – go to a substantial shelter
immediately.
IDENTIFY A SAFE PLACE
Before a storm strikes, it is important to be aware
of your surroundings and identify a safe place to ride out a storm.
Preferably, somewhere indoors, and away from windows. If you can
hear thunder, you are close enough to a storm to be struck by
lightning. If you are outdoors, seek shelter immediately. [to top of second
column] |
STAY INFORMED
This forecast is a good reminder that people should
always have multiple ways to receive notifications and updated
information about severe weather warnings, such as through a NOAA
weather alert radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), weather alert
apps, TV and radio broadcasts, the Internet, outdoor warning sirens
and more.
PREPARE YOUR FAMILY
Your family may not be together if a disaster
strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could
affect your area, and know how you will contact one another and
reconnect if separated. Develop a family emergency plan and review
it with all family members. Visit www.Ready.Illinois.gov for
step-by-step instructions on how to prepare for, survive and rebuild
after any storm or emergency.
EMERGENCY KIT
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, a few new items should be
included in your emergency supply kit, including face coverings for
every member of your family, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.
Other items to include in a basic emergency supply kit are: water,
food, NOAA weather radio, flashlight, batteries, phone charger, and
prescription medications. A complete list can be found online at
www.ready.gov/kit. Simple instructions on how to make your own face
covering can be found here.
IEMA offers severe weather preparedness information on the Ready
Illinois website (www.Ready.Illinois.gov), a one-stop resource for
detailed information about what to do before, during and after
disasters. To help Illinois residents prepare for severe weather
season, IEMA and the NWS developed a Severe Weather Preparedness
Guide that covers flooding, severe weather terms and tips for
staying safe. The guide is available on the Ready Illinois website.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information]
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