LINCOLN, Ill. – As springtime returns to central Illinois, so does the increased risk of severe weather in the area.
This week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week. National Weather Service Meteorologist Rebekka Delaney in Lincoln says this week is picked because the start of March is the beginning of meteorological spring.
Delaney says one of the more important things someone can do to be prepared is to be aware of when bad weather comes.
“Make sure that you have a way to receive warnings, whether it’s during the day or at night. Especially when you’re sleeping, because nighttime storms can be some of the most dangerous,” Delaney said.
Delaney says having a programmed weather radio can help, along with enabling notifications on your phone. She says paying attention to local media and their reports can also be helpful.
Another part of preparation is having a game plan on what to do when severe weather arrives. Delaney says that includes knowing where safe spots are, and communicating them with family members. She says preparing an emergency kit is also important, which includes extra batteries and flashlights, medications, and having your generator ready to run if power goes out.
Delaney says people should practice some of those plans during the statewide tornado drill at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday.
“This is the best time to practice the procedures that your workspace potentially has, or should have for severe weather,” Delaney said. “And if you’re at home and you’ve got the kids, have them practice going into the basement or the bathroom and getting down and being protected, and knowing, maybe having a helmet or where are your shoes?”
Delaney says some of the safest places in your house include the bathroom, the basement, or an interior room without windows.
Delaney says it’s also important to know when to take cover, and knowing the difference between a watch and a warning.
“So if there’s a tornado watch, that means that the ingredients are there. That means if you’re making cupcakes, you’ve got all the ingredients on the table ready to make them,” Delaney says. “Whereas a tornado warning, it is currently happening at that moment, or it is about to happen, and you need to take shelter at that moment. It’s like you finished making the cupcakes, and they’re ready to eat.”
The National Weather Service also makes a designation of ‘particularly dangerous situation,’ where a long-lived and intense tornado is likely to occur. The designation may also apply to severe thunderstorm watches for widespread and intense straight-line wind events.
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