PEORIA, Ill. – With spring just around the corner, so is the increased risk of severe weather across central Illinois.
This week is Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which aims to educate and inform about weather hazards and how to get ready for it.
Peoria County Director of Emergency Management and Preparedness Jason Marks says severe weather can mean many things.
“We have Severe Weather Awareness Week here in the spring because we’re typically thinking about things like tornadoes or lightning and hail,” Marks said. “But as we’ve seen recently in the United States, particularly in the Midwest, there could be derecho or strong winds that could lead to things.”
Each day of the week focuses on a different aspect of severe weather that people should be aware of. Monday’s focus is on the different ways people can receive watches and warnings.
A watch, whether for a severe thunderstorm or tornado, is issued when conditions are favorable in the area for one to develop, while a warning means the threat is happening or imminent.
Marks says there are many ways those can be received, whether outdoor or indoor, through sirens or mobile alerts. He says awareness of potential severe weather is just as important as any preparation one can do.
“Once you’re aware of what that potential severe weather could be, have you begun [sic] to put a plan in place, if and when that weather comes in, how you would react,” Marks said.
Tuesday will be the annual statewide tornado drill, as part of a focus on tornado safety. It matches with the monthly testing of tornado sirens on the morning of the first Tuesday of each month.
The National Weather Service says before a tornado hits, one should know where all family members are and to identify where they should go. Marks suggests families have an emergency kit prepared that could last for a few hours of sheltering in place. He says that includes essentials, such as flashlights and battery charges, but activities that kids can do to keep them busy.
Wednesday will focus on lightning safety, Thursday will be safety during a hail and wind storm, and Friday will focus on floods and flash floods.
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