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LOCAL WEATHER RADAR

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Champaign Forecast

Hazardous Weather Outlook
Details
Created: 04 March 2025

IEMA-OHS Commemorates 100th Anniversary of the Deadliest Tornado in Illinois

March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month


Springfield – On March 18, 1925, the deadliest tornado in U.S. history tore through southeast Missouri, southern Illinois, and southwest Indiana, leaving a 219-mile path of destruction.


“During this Severe Weather Preparedness Month, I want everyone in Illinois to recognize the dangers of tornadoes and other weather disasters,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “That tornado, 100 years ago this month, killed 234 residents in Murphysboro alone, making it the hardest-hit town in Illinois during that storm. A total of 695 people lost their lives across the tri-state area. We want Illinoisans to take preparedness seriously—know the risks, have a plan, and review your insurance coverage.”


National Weather Service Lincoln Warning Coordination Meteorologist Ed Shimon emphasized the importance of preparedness. “Devastating tornadoes have occurred in every month of the year. We encourage everyone to have a tornado safety plan and practice it regularly. When a tornado is approaching, seconds can save lives.”


Flooding: Another Major Threat in Illinois


In addition to tornadoes, flooding remains one of Illinois’ most significant weather threats. In 2024, Illinois experienced a major presidential disaster declaration for severe weather and flooding, resulting in over $150 million in damages.

Nationally, flooding is the most common natural hazard, yet many homeowners remain uninsured against flood damage. The Illinois Department of Insurance (IDOI) and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recommend that homeowners, renters, and businesses consider flood insurance to protect their property and belongings.


“Flood insurance must be purchased separately from most homeowners and renters policies and typically takes effect 30 days after purchase,” said IDOI Acting Director Ann Gillespie. “If your community is not eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), private flood insurance may be available from a licensed agent or insurer. Our IDOI insurance analysts can help answer questions about coverage options.”


Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for residents of nearly 23,000 participating communities nationwide. A list of participating flood insurance providers can be found here.


Consider Earthquake Insurance


Illinois residents should also review their earthquake insurance options. Standard homeowners insurance policies may not cover earthquake damage, and coverage varies by provider. When evaluating earthquake insurance, consider whether your policy includes all structures (home, garage), contents, and any exclusions or limitations.


Be Prepared: Steps to Protect Your Home and Family


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


Details of the 1925 tornado can be found in a report by the Illinois State Water Survey, Urbana-Champaign:
https://climateillinois.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/reduced-iswsc-103.pdf


Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS): Ready.Illinois.Gov


IEMA-OHS Social Media: X/Twitter | Meta/Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
###

Details
Created: 04 February 2025

Practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On!
During Earthquake Awareness Month

SPRINGFIELD –The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is encouraging everyone in Illinois to practice how to Drop, Cover, and Hold On! during Earthquake Awareness Month.

“A strong earthquake won’t just affect southern Illinois, but the entire state given its proximity to two major seismic zones—the New Madrid Seismic Zone on the border with Missouri and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone on the border with Indiana,” said Director Alicia Tate Nadeau. “The best way to stay safe during an earthquake is to Drop, Cover, and Hold On! If you practice this regularly, you’ll know exactly what to do during an earthquake because a strong earthquake could easily affect homes and infrastructure throughout Illinois.”


Whether you are in your home, a school classroom, a high-rise or other type of building, it is important to know how to protect yourself during an earthquake. Practice what to do during an earthquake with your family members so you can react automatically when the shaking starts.


If you are indoors, follow these steps to Drop, Cover, and Hold On:
• Drop
down to the floor
•
Take Cover under a sturdy desk, table, or other furniture
• Hold on
to that object until the shaking ends


Details on how persons with disabilities can adapt Drop, Cover, and Hold On! to reduce injury or death during an earthquake, can be found here.


Another option for earthquake preparedness is to join the national ShakeOut drill in October where nearly 20 million people across the U.S. practice their earthquake response.


IEMA-OHS also offers disaster preparedness information 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.


Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS): Ready.Illinois.Gov

IEMA-OHS Social Media: X/Twitter | Meta/Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
###

Details
Created: 13 January 2025

IEMA-OHS Encourages Testing During Radon Action Month

Press Release - Friday, January 10, 2025

IEMA-OHS and the American Lung Association relaunch two statewide awareness contests

SPRINGFIELD - With no scent, color, or taste, radon is a stealthy killer. In fact, it's the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. "January is National Radon Action Month and a good opportunity to learn about this gas," explained Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau.

 

"It is estimated that more than 1,100 people in Illinois develop radon-related lung cancer each year. IEMA-OHS is encouraging all property owners and renters to understand the risk and test for radon," said Tate-Nadeau.

 

Radon test kits can be purchased by calling the Illinois Radon Hotline at 800-325-1245 or at most hardware and department stores. It is recommended to conduct one short-term test and one long-term test to ensure consistent readings. Should you find higher readings, you should contact IEMA-OHS at 800-325-1245 for information about a licensed mitigation professional who are trained to reduce radon levels.

 

For information on radon measurement, mitigation, and licensing, visit the IEMA-OHS Radon page at https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/nrs/radon.html. Information is also available through IEMA-OHS' Radon Hotline at 800-325-1245.

 

Statewide Awareness Poster & Video Contests

IEMA-OHS and the American Lung Association (ALAIL) will also hold two statewide contests that encourage school students to create awareness posters or videos to increase knowledge among their classmates. High school students can enter a 30-second commercial style video, while middle school students can enter a poster that encourages radon testing.

 

"Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Since radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless, the only way to detect radon in your home is to test the air. This is why it is critical for everyone to test their home," said Jill Heins-Nesvold, Nationwide Senior Director of Indoor Air Quality for the American Lung Association. "This contest is a perfect way for everyone to learn more about this dangerous gas and take action to protect yourself and your loved ones."

 

Radon Poster Contest

Radon Video Contest

Eligibility

Students Age 9-14

All High School Students

Registration Status

Now Open

Now Open

Submissions Due

March 10

March 10

First Prize

$200

$600

Second Prize

$150

$500

Third Prize

$100

$400

Most Views Winner

n/a

$200

Both contests are sponsored by IEMA-OHS and the American Lung Association. For more information on the awareness poster and video content, visit https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/nrs/radon/radoncontest.html.

2024 Radon Poster Winners

  • 1st place - Hufford Junior High School (Gabriela S.)
  • 2nd place - Reservoir Gifted Academy (Lilly D.)
  • 3rd place - St. Alphonus/St. Patrick School (Amelia D.)

 

2024 Radon Video Winners  

  • 1st place - Morris Community High School (Callie F., Janelle D., and Elise K.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2t2PaWEd3c
  • 2nd place - Morris Community High School (Olyvia P.) https://youtu.be/LtPTMrhlO5g?si=-eG6EqhSVZHIMrcW
  • 3rd place - Mahomet-Seymour High School (Brianna D. and Braden P.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_rb1CU5KME

 

Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS): Ready.Illinois.Gov

 

IEMA-OHS Social Media: X/Twitter | Meta/Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube

Details
Created: 16 December 2024

Increased Safety Will Help Keep Your Holidays Festive Rather Than Frustrating

Traveling. Shopping. Hosting family and friends. Taking some extra steps will help you to keep those activities festive. Otherwise, you might feel the stress of a stranded vehicle, cyber crime, or a home catastrophe. Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau said, "The holiday season can easily be overshadowed by a car break-down, digital theft, or a heating mishap. This is the time to take some precautions so that your holidays play out as intended."
 
December is Holiday Safety Month and with so many people traveling for the holidays, this is the perfect time to think about safety.
 
Vacations: Travel tips can save a trip to grandma's house. Make sure everyone has an emergency communications plan and cell phone battery chargers. Have a vehicle emergency kit in each vehicle and review weather forecasts before and during any travel.
 
Cyber safety: Whether shopping online or in a store, be cautious with your banking information. Strong passwords and a close eye on your physical debit/credit cards and charges go a long way to protect your banking information. And always check reviews of products before buying to avoid clicking the "buy" button on a scam site.
 
Home heating/electrical safety: Have your furnace, chimney, fireplace, and wood/coal stoves inspected before use. That will help prevent not only a fire, but carbon monoxide poisoning. Even holiday lights, candles, and space heaters must be carefully used. If you haven't winterized your home yet, this is the time to do it (https://ready.illinois.gov/plan/emergencykit.html).
 
Residents can find more tips in the IEMA Winter Weather Preparedness Guide
, as well as the Ready Illinois and NWS Winter Prep sites.
 
For more information about travel preparedness, visit gettingaroundillinois.com.
 
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS): Ready.Illinois.Gov
 
IEMA-OHS Social Media: X/Twitter | Meta/Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
Details
Created: 08 November 2024
logo
Illinois Emergency Management Agency and
Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS)
Winter Weather Preparation Tips!
 
Illinois residents are encouraged to keep a winter storm kit in their vehicles.
 
As winter weather approaches, it’s important for Illinois residents to be prepared for anything. Having the right items on hand could possibly save your life.
 
Nov. 4-8 is Winter Weather Preparedness Week, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is making sure people take stock of preparedness items.
 
“If you take steps now to be ready for bitter winds, snow, and ice, you’ll be grateful during the first storm,” said IEMA-OHS Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “Each of us needs to think about preparing our home, offices, school, vehicle, and family for the worst because extreme cold and blizzards can be deadly.”
 
Items in this kit should include:
 
Cell phone and chargers
Blankets/sleeping bags
Extra clothing
Jumper cables
Flashlight
Extra batteries
Extra water
High-calorie, non-perishable foods
 
Tate-Nadeau said that there’s a very small possibility of escaping winter weather. There has not been a winter in the state without at least one winter storm in the past century.
 
According to Tate-Nadeau, from Dec. 2023 through March 2024, they were four snow/ice storms that impacted Illinois. Additionally, there were 10 winter storms affecting the state from Nov. 2022 through March 2023.
 
“The National Weather Service (NWS) is simplifying winter weather warnings and advisories to make it easier for the public to understand,” said NWS Central Illinois Warning Coordination Meteorologist Ed Shimon. “Wind chill watches, warnings and advisories have been eliminated. Instead, they have been consolidated into extreme cold watches and warnings and cold weather advisories.”
 
Items in your kit should be available year-round, but preparing your home before the winter rolls around can also be essential to survival. Prepping your home includes:
 
Checking walls and attics for insulation
Weatherizing doors and windows
Insulating water pipes
Detaching and draining water hoses
Sealing leaks
Having extra fuel for heating
Reviewing safety instructions for each preparation measure
School and office preparations are similar to those of a house, and they include procedures for notifying staff and students about potential closings and transportation.
 
For more information on travel preparedness visit gettingaroundillinois.com, and for more tips on weather preparation go to the IEMA Winter Weather Preparedness Guide (https://iemaohs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/iemaohs/preparedness/documents/winter-storm-preparedness-guidebook.pdf).
 
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  4. 2024 Pet Preparedness

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Friday, 29 August 2025