By Nick Gale, WLS-AM News
(SPRINGFIELD) With dangerous storms predicted through this evening for much of Illinois, the Illinois Emergency Managment Agency is encouraging people to stay aware of local forecasts and be prepared to act quickly if storm warnings are issued.
“Severe weather is already imminent across Illinois on the last day of February, which underscores how important it is to be prepared for thunderstorms that produce wind damage, large hail, tornadoes and flash flooding any time of the year,” said Chris Miller, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lincoln. “The key points of severe weather safety include avoiding flooded roads in vehicles, seeking shelter in a secure building – preferably in the basement – when a tornado is nearby, and staying away from windows, doors and upper levels of buildings during severe thunderstorms.
IEMA and local emergency management agencies will be promoting Severe Weather Preparedness Month throughout March. In addition, IEMA and the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association are sponsoring an online contest that offers Illinois residents a chance to win a portable weather alert radio. The “Weather Alert Radios Save Lives” contest will begin on March 1 and continue through March 31.
IEMA and the NWS developed a Severe Weather Preparedness Guide, which provides information about tornadoes, severe storms, lightning and flooding along with recommended actions to take before, during and after each of these weather events. It is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
@ 2017 WLS-AM News
