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Are You Ready for Severe Weather Season?
March is the time to prepare
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 during Severe Weather Preparedness Month this 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
More tips and preparedness kit ideas can be found at https://ready.illinois.gov/plan/emergencykit.html
Disaster preparedness information is ready available from IEMA-OHS on the Ready Illinois website, a one-stop resource for detailed information about what to do before, during, and after disasters.
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Recent Earthquake Reminds Illinoisans to Take Earthquake Awareness Month Seriously
SPRINGFIELD – It was just last month that a 3.8 magnitude earthquake shook Illinois from its center in Ohlman in central Illinois’ Montgomery County. “Thousands of people across the state felt this last quake in the early morning hours of January 20,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Acting Director Theodore (Ted) Berger. “It is a cautionary reminder that we sit between two seismic zones and earthquake preparedness should be an essential part of every household’s safety plan.”
February is Earthquake Awareness Month. While hundreds of small earthquakes occur each year in the U.S., the worst in Illinois history occurred on December 17, 1811, and was so strong that it rang a church bell in a Cairo church in southern Illinois. It also blew smoke, sand, and coal 30 yards into the air and made the Mississippi River flow backward for a moment.
Illinois rests between the New Madrid Seismic Zone and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone. If you feel an earthquake or receive an alert about an earthquake, you are encouraged to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.” Sheltering on the floor under heavy furniture, protecting your head, and stabilizing yourself by holding onto furniture is your best chance to stay safe. Persons using walkers or wheelchairs are advised to lock down and then cover and hold on.
IEMA-OHS also recognizes the national ShakeOut drill in October and encourages all residents to join in practicing the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” earthquake response.
Disaster preparedness information is ready available from IEMA-OHS on the Ready Illinois website, a one-stop resource for detailed information about what to do before, during, and after disasters. For more information on earthquake preparedness, visit https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/preparedness/earthquake.html.
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Score big this Super Bowl Sunday: IDOT, ISP urge you to be the ultimate sober driving MVP
SPRINGFIELD – This Super Bowl weekend, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and numerous local police and sheriff’s departments across the state are taking a timeout to spread two important safety messages to the public – “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.” The Super Bowl safety campaign runs from Friday, Feb. 6, through 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 9.
“Before the game begins, designate a driver or make other arrangements for a safe, sober ride so that you, your passengers and everyone on our roads can return home safely,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “Driving impaired is the worst decision you can make. It’s also 100% avoidable.”
Drinking alcohol isn’t the only impairment risk. Cannabis and other drugs – including prescription and over-the-counter medications– can slow reaction time, affect judgment and make driving dangerous. Plan a sober ride home.
“Whether you’re a Seahawks or Patriots fan, or just love football, celebrate safely this Super Bowl Sunday,” said ISP Division of Patrol Col. Chris Owen. “If you drink, don’t drive, and make sure to buckle up, otherwise you could face a penalty flag that could cost you the game.”
Safety should be your No. 1 priority. When it’s time to leave the party, make sure your designated driver is sober. Remember that walking impaired also can be dangerous, so designate a sober friend to walk home with you if needed.
If you’re planning on being the designated driver, while at the party, enjoy the food, the company, non-alcoholic drinks, and do not use cannabis or other impairing drugs. Remember that sober driving isn’t the only law that should be followed. Make sure you and everyone in the vehicle wear their seat belts. It’s your best defense in a crash.
If you are attending a Super Bowl party:
- Designate a sober driver ahead of time, plan to use your community’s sober ride program, call a cab or use your favorite ride-sharing app.
- Don’t let friends and family members drive impaired. Help them get home safely.
- Wear your seat belt and make sure everyone in the vehicle does the same.
- Promptly report impaired drivers to law enforcement.
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:
- Make sure all your guests have a sober ride home.
- Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
- Host your party just like they do at the stadium. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter is perfect for serving coffee and dessert.
- Keep the phone numbers of local cab companies on hand and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired.
The Super Bowl safety campaign is part of the Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” programs that are funded with federal highway safety dollars administered by IDOT and coincides with the “It’s Not a Game” radio, digital and TV campaign, reminding the public of the consequences of impaired driving as well as distracted driving, work zone safety, pedestrian safety, motorcycle awareness and occupant safety.
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State of Illinois Urges Readiness Ahead of Major
Weekend Winter Storm and Extreme Cold
SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) are advising residents to prepare for a multi-wave winter storm and dangerously low temperatures expected to impact the state starting Friday, January 23 through Sunday, with Southern Illinois expected to be the most heavily impacted by significant snow accumulations.
A major weather system is expected to bring extreme cold across most of Illinois this weekend, alongside two rounds of heavy snow in the southern region. Simultaneously, northern and central Illinois face an Extreme Cold Warning, with wind chills forecasted to plumet as low as -34°F. These conditions pose a significant risk for frostbite, hypothermia, and infrastructure disruptions.
“We are preparing for extreme weather conditions statewide and urging all Illinoisians to take precautions throughout the weekend to stay safe and warm,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As we brace for freezing temperatures across the state and heavy snow in Southern Illinois, I have directed IEMA-OHS to deploy resources to ensure local authorities have the support they need to keep roads clear and residents safe. I encourage everyone to avoid any unnecessary travel, follow safety recommendations, and visit Ready.Illinois.Gov for winter storm updates.”
Regional Breakdown of Impacts
- Central Illinois:2–6 inches of snow expected over a 36-hour period, with dangerously low wind chills.
- Southern Illinois (Heaviest Impact): 6–12 inches of accumulating snow expected through Sunday evening. Wind chills as low as -16°F will accompany the snow, creating a risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
- Northern Illinois:Facing life-threatening extreme cold with wind chills as low as -34°F through Saturday morning.
“Illinois weather can shift at any moment, and the best time to prepare for this weekend’s unpredictable conditions is right now,” said IEMA-OHS Acting Director Theodore “Ted” Berger. “We are tracking two distinct waves of snow and extreme wind chills that will make travel hazardous. If you must be outdoors, dress in layers and limit your exposure. Our teams are in constant contact with local emergency managers to coordinate a swift response for any weather-related disruptions.”
Safety Recommendations for Residents
IEMA-OHS recommends the following actions to stay safe during this event:
- Travel Safety:Avoid travel during peak snow hours. If you must drive, keep a winter emergency kit in your vehicle, including blankets, a flashlight, and water.
- Home Care:Insulate exposed pipes and ensure you have a three-day supply of food and medication.
- Personal Health:Cover all exposed skin when outdoors to prevent frostbite, which can occur in minutes at -34°F.
- Check on Others:Reach out to elderly neighbors or those with disabilities who may need assistance with heating or snow removal.
If you or someone you know needs a warm place to stay, please visit the Illinois Warming Center Dashboard immediately. Comprehensive winter weather guidance is available at Ready.Illinois.gov.
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15 Holiday Safety Tips
The holidays are here, and while decorations, travel and meals together bring joy, they also come with risks. Vacationers crowd icy roads, cooks multitask in the kitchen, and, according to the National Fire Protection Association, holiday decorations cause nearly 1,000 house fires in the U.S. each year. A little planning now will give you and your loved ones the gift of safety.
Follow these 15 tips to make the holidays safe and fun for everyone you gather.
Decorate Safely
1. Keep candles at least a foot away from anything that can burn. Make sure they’re stable, and somewhere kids, pets or you won’t knock them over. For extra safety, use flameless candles – you can find ones that flicker and smell like real candles.
2. Check lights before you hang them. If you find frayed wires or loose bulb connections, throw the string away. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of strings you can safely connect.
3. Turn off all lights – electric or flame – when you leave the house or go to bed.
4. Place your Christmas tree out of the way of exits, and at least 3 feet away from heat sources like radiators, candles or vents.
5. Water your tree every day – a dry tree can burn hot and fast.
Travel Smart
6. Check the weather. Make sure you have enough layers, and see whether you should plan for wintery roads along the way.
7. Prepare your car. Check the lights, tires, oil, windshield wiper fluid and antifreeze levels, stock your emergency car kit and pack winter supplies like ice scrapers and tire chains.
8. Drive safely. Increase your following distance to give yourself time to stop on slick roads, and don’t crowd snowplows.
9. Keep your gas at least half full to stop the fuel line from freezing.
10. If conditions are bad, wait to travel.
Cook With Care
11. Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so no one bumps them.
12. Watch what you’re cooking. If you leave the kitchen, turn the stove off. If you see smoke or grease boiling, turn the burner off.
13. Keep a lid or baking sheet near the stove. If a pan catches fire, cover it with your lid, turn the burner off and leave it until it’s completely cooled.
14. Don’t throw water on a grease fire: it’ll splash and spread the flames. If your oven catches fire, turn it off and keep the door closed.
15. If a fire won’t go out or you don’t feel comfortable approaching it, lead everyone outside and call 9-1-1.
However you celebrate this holiday season, think about safety. Visit ready.gov/winter-ready for more ways you can help yourself, your friends and family close 2025 on a bright note.
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