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Created: 20 February 2020

National Weather Service Lincoln IL
1137 AM February 21, 2020

THE NOAA WEATHER RADIO TRANSMITTER IN CHAMPAIGN ILLINOIS WILL
BE OUT OF SERVICE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME

The NOAA Weather Radio station, WXJ-76 in Champaign, Illinois broadcasting on a frequency of 162.550 MHz that serves east- central Illinois, will be out of service for an extended period of time, effective immediately.

This outage is due to a damaged coaxial cable, which connects the radio transmitter to the antenna. To prevent future damage to cabling, which could result in additional future long-term outages, a new tower location must be secured. The station will remain offline as the National Weather Service (NWS) works to relocate the radio transmitter to a new tower.

We have started the process of identifying possible new tower locations for the transmitter.

Once a new tower site is identified and a lease agreement is in place, we will install the transmitter and antenna, and begin system testing to ensure the signal is performing at an optimal level. While the entire process county take up to six months, we are working to get the NOAA Weather Radio broadcast online as soon as possible.

For access to NOAA Weather Radio during the outage, tune-in to one of our nearby NOAA Weather Radio stations:

*   Champaign County, unfortunately, is not covered by
         another weather radio. This is especially true for the
         cities of Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy. However, the
         following areas of the county might be able to hear
         certain weather radios. Northwest...KZZ-65 in
         Bloomington, IL (162.525 MHz or channel 6 on your weather
         radio). Northeast...KXI-86 in Crescent City, IL (162.500
         MHz or channel 5). Southeast...KXI-47 in Paris, IL
         (162.525 MHz or channel 6). Due to limited coverage,
         these weather radios will not be tone alerted for
         Champaign County.

    *   Coles, Douglas and Edgar counties can receive severe
         weather warnings on station KXI-47 in Paris, IL (162.525
         MHz or channel 6 on your weather radio)

     *   DeWitt County is covered by KZZ-65 in Bloomington, IL
         (162.525 MHz or channel 6). Residents of southwest DeWitt
         County are also covered by WXJ-75 in Springfield, IL
         (162.400 MHz or channel 1)

     *   Ford County is covered by WXK-24 in Odell, IL (162.450
         MHz or channel 3) for all but southeast Ford County.
         There is also coverage from KXI-86 in Crescent City, IL
         (162.500 MHz or channel 5) for all but southwest Ford
         County.

     *   Northeast Macon County is covered by KZZ-65 in
         Bloomington, IL (162.525 MHz or channel 6).

     *   Moultrie County is covered by station KXI-46 near
         Shelbyville, IL (162.500 MHz or channel 5)

     *   Piatt County (Northern half roughly) is covered by KZZ-65
         in Bloomington, IL (162.525 MHz or channel 6).

     *   Northern Vermilion County is covered by KXI-86 in
         Crescent City (162.500 MHz or channel 5). The rest of
         Vermilion County is covered by KZZ-27 in Newport, IN
         (162.425 MHz or channel 2)

As always, we HIGHLY recommend that people have multiple ways to receive
weather warnings and information. Forecasts, watches and warnings for
Central Illinois can also be found on:

     *   NWS Lincoln webpage: www.weather.gov/Lincoln

     *   Mobile device: mobile.weather.gov

     *   Facebook: www.facebook.com/NWSLincoln

     *   Twitter: twitter.com/NWSLincolnIL

     *   AlertSense: A service provided by Champaign County can
         relay emergency alerts and weather warnings via text
         message to cell phones and email to any email address.
         These alerts are provided free of charge, however
         standard text messaging rates and other charges may
         apply. To sign-up, go to:  https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionid=1157

     *   Smart Phones: Most smart phone users receive Tornado
         Warnings and Flash Flood Warnings from the National
         Weather Service through the Wireless Emergency Alerts
         technology provided by nearly all cell phone providers.
         This feature is enabled on most cellular devices, with no
         setup or software to download. The emergency messages
         are broadcast through cell towers at no cost to the
         consumer.

We will provide updates on the status of the Central Illinois NOAA Weather Radio Transmitter through Public Information Statements as more Information becomes available.

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Created: 06 February 2020

February is Earthquake Preparedness Month in Illinois

February 04, 2020

SPRINGFIELD, IL – While some hazards such as storms, tornadoes and floods can be forecasted in order to provide advance noticed to residents in an area of danger, other hazards such as earthquakes cannot be predicted. Recent earthquakes in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean are perfect examples that earthquakes can happen anywhere and at any time, including while you are at work, at home or on vacation. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) estimates that 500,000 detectable earthquakes occur in the world each year. The National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) locates about 20,000 earthquakes each year, or about 55 earthquakes each day.

Records indicate Illinois, and several other states in the central United States, experienced some of the largest earthquakes ever measured in North America. In recognition of the earthquake risk still posed today by the New Madrid and Wabash Valley seismic zones, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies will promote earthquake preparedness throughout February.

“Creating an environment of education, awareness and preparedness will save lives in Illinois,” said Alicia Tate-Nadeau, Acting Director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency. “While we cannot predict when the next major quake will occur, we can help people learn how to protect themselves and reduce damage to their homes.”

Learning how to “Drop, Cover and Hold On” can help people prevent injury during an earthquake. The phrase reminds people to drop down to the floor, take cover under a sturdy desk, table or other furniture, and hold on to that object and be prepared to move with it until the shaking ends. Most casualties result from falling objects and debris caused by the earth shaking.

There are several steps people can take to help prevent injuries and property damage at home, including:

•Strapping water heaters and large appliances to wall studs
•Anchoring overhead light fixtures
•Fastening shelves to wall studs and securing cabinet doors with latches
•Strapping TVs, computers and other heavy equipment to prevent tipping
•Learning how to shut off gas, water and electricity in case the lines are damaged

Each year the Illinois Emergency Management Agency leads an initiative to register homes, businesses, schools and organizations in the world’s largest earthquake drill. This year’s earthquake drill will take place on Thursday, October 15 at 10:15 a.m. It’s never too early to register your participation in this potentially life-saving event. Register today at www.shakeout.org.

Learn more about how you can prepare your home, business and family for an earthquake at www.Ready.Illinois.gov. Earthquake safety tips will also be posted throughout February on the Ready Illinois Facebook (www.facebook.com/ReadyIllinois) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ReadyIllinois) pages.

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Created: 31 January 2020

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign outdoor warning sirens to be upgraded and tested between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, February 4-5th.

Champaign County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) is advising people not to be alarmed if they hear one of the area’s emergency sirens sound next week during periods of calm weather. All 39 sirens will be impacted as part of an upgrade to the siren system for the Champaign-Urbana, Savoy, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign areas. This upgrade includes modernizing the system from analog to digital communications and for the automatic activation of the sirens in the tornado warning area issued by the National Weather service.

The warning siren contractor, Braniff Communications, will evaluate the system as it activates each of the sirens individually. Audible testing will occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, January 27th-31st.

CCEMA reminds residents that outdoor warning sirens are activated for the purpose of alerting people who are outdoors that a tornado warning has been issued for the affected area. When the steady tone of an outdoor warning siren is heard during severe weather, it is imperative to find shelter immediately. CCEMA also encourages residents to monitor a local media outlet, NOAA Weather Radio or the National Weather Service website in the case of inclement weather.

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Created: 23 January 2020

C-U, Savoy, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign outdoor warning sirens to be upgraded and tested between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, January 27th-31st.

Champaign County Emergency Management Agency (CCEMA) is advising people not to be alarmed if they hear one of the area’s emergency sirens sound next week during periods of calm weather.  All 39 sirens will be impacted as part of an upgrade to the siren system for the Champaign-Urbana, Savoy, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign areas. This upgrade includes modernizing the system from analog to digital communications and for the automatic activation of the sirens in the tornado warning area issued by the National Weather service.

The warning siren contractor, Braniff Communications, will evaluate the system as it activates each of the sirens individually.  Audible testing will occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, January 27th-31st. 

CCEMA reminds residents that outdoor warning sirens are activated for the purpose of alerting people who are outdoors that a tornado warning has been issued for the affected area.  When the steady tone of an outdoor warning siren is heard during severe weather, it is imperative to find shelter immediately.  CCEMA also encourages residents to monitor a local media outlet, NOAA Weather Radio or the National Weather Service website in the case of inclement weather.