Are You Ready for Severe Weather Season?

SPRINGFIELD –Thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods, and power outages are all possible during Illinois' spring weather season. That is why the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA OHS) is urging all residents to take steps to prepare duringSevere Weather Preparedness Monththis March.

“Millions of dollars in storm damages within the last year shows just how quickly severe weather can impact our communities,” said IEMA OHS Acting Director Theodore (Ted) Berger. “We understand that severe weather can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it unprepared. Taking time now to plan and gather essentials can help protect the people and places you care about most.”

IEMA-OHS recommends that you:

• Keep all important records and documents in a secure waterproof container

• Make an inventory of possessions using lists and photos/videos

• Insure your property and personal items (many renters, homeowners, and business owners don’t realize that flood insurance isn’t automatically part of an insurance policy)

• Know how to shut off your home utilities like electricity, gas, and water

• Assemble an emergency kit and “go bag” to help your family for at least three days during extended power outages or in case of evacuation

• If power is out, make sure flashlights with fresh batteries are ready

• Have a backup cell phone charger fully charged

• Generators should only be run outside, never indoors or in enclosed spaces

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