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 The changing weather is second nature to many of
us, but as the calendar flips from winter to spring, it is important
to not become complacent about severe weather threats that exist in
our state. As part of Severe Weather Preparedness Month, the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the National Weather
Service (NWS) have teamed up to publish a Severe Weather
Preparedness Guide to help Illinoisans be better prepared when
severe weather strikes.
“Making people aware of weather hazards and how to prepare for them,
is just step one. Using the information and applying protective
measures in an emergency takes practice. This month, the Illinois
Emergency Management Agency is encouraging families, businesses,
schools and communities to build a kit, practice your plan and be
better prepared,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau.
The National Weather Service will be recognizing Severe Weather
Preparedness Week during the week of March 1-5. During this week,
Illinoisans are encouraged to:
• Make a severe weather preparedness plan
• Build an emergency preparedness kit
• Identify your safe place to during a storm
• Familiarize yourself the various weather
watches/warnings/advisories See:
IEMA 2021 Severe Weather Preparedness Guide - Pdf
The National Weather Service (NWS) is responsible for issuing severe
weather watches, warnings and advisories to alert the public when
dangerous weather conditions are expected. Educating yourself and
your family about these various terms, and the associated protective
measures, can help keep you and your family safe. This year, the NWS
added two new terms to this Severe Weather Preparedness Guide:
Tornado Emergency and Flash Flood Emergency.
"It is so important to know the difference between a watch and
warning when it comes to tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and
floods." said Chris Miller with the National Weather Service in
Lincoln, Illinois. "In rare situations, an emergency can be issued
for tornadoes and flash floods. This is when a confirmed, violent
tornado or significant flood creates an imminent danger to life and
property. Act immediately to save your life." [to top of second
column] |
Thunderstorms can produce damaging winds, deadly
lightning, large hail, flash flooding and tornadoes. On average,
Illinois will see 53 tornadoes each year with nearly 20-percent
occurring at night. For a number of reasons, tornadoes that occur at
night are twice as likely to result in fatalities.
The National Weather Service and state and local emergency
management officials strongly encourage people to have a National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) All Hazards Weather
Radio with battery backup. These radios can be programmed to receive
alerts for specified counties to keep you and your family apprised
of impending weather and post-event information for all types of
hazards including natural (earthquakes), environmental (chemical
spills) and public safety hazards (AMBER alerts). When an alert is
issued for the programmed area, the device will sound a warning
alarm tone followed by the essential information.
“The information provided in these alerts will guide you through the
appropriate protective measures. Watches mean that severe weather or
flooding might develop near your area over the next several hours.
Be ready to act if storms approach. When a warning is issued, a
storm has a history of producing damage or flooding, or is expected
to develop in your area shortly. We are warning you to take action
immediately,” said Miller.
In this day and age of families constantly on the go, it is also
critical for people to have multiple ways to receive notifications
and updated information about severe weather warnings. FEMA offers a
FREE mobile app that provides fast and reliable weather alerts from
the National Weather Service (NWS). The app can be tailored to offer
alerts for up to five different locations nationwide. The mobile app
can also help you locate open shelters and disaster resource centers
near you in the event of an emergency.
In addition to NOAA weather radios, Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA)
can provide lifesaving information about impending storms and
emergencies. These alerts can be sent to your mobile device without
the need to download an app or subscribe to a service. Not only are
these tools critical to surviving overnight storms, but they can be
extremely beneficial for those who travel.
For more information about what to do before, during and after a
storm, please visit
www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
[Illinois Office of Communication and
Information] |
