IEMA, National Weather Service encourage Illinois residents to prepare for winter storms
On the heels of a crippling winter
storm on the East Coast and just nine months after a
blizzard and ice storm hammered most of Illinois, the
Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the
National Weather Service (NWS) today encouraged
Illinois residents to begin preparing for the cold,
snow and ice that define winters in Illinois.
IEMA and NWS will highlight winter storm preparedness
throughout November as part of the annual Winter
Storm Preparedness campaign.
“Fortunately, we haven’t experienced winter weather
yet this season, but the East Coast storm is a vivid
reminder of what could be right around the corner,”
said IEMA Director Jonathon Monken. “And with
February’s blizzard still fresh in most people’s
minds, we hope Illinois residents will follow our
advice and begin preparing for winter storms now.”
To help people prepare for winter hazards, IEMA, NWS
and the American Red Cross developed a Winter Storm
Preparedness Guide, which contains information about
winter weather terms and tips for staying safe at
home, in the car and at work or school. This guide
is available on the Ready Illinois website at
www.Ready.Illinois.gov or by calling 217-785-9888.
Widespread power outages caused by heavy snow or ice
can be particularly dangerous during the cold, winter
months. That’s why IEMA and NWS recommend emergency
preparedness kits for homes and vehicles. A home
preparedness kit should be stocked with items to help
residents stay safe for at least three days. The
kits should include a battery powered-NOAA weather
radio, a flashlight, extra batteries, non-perishable
food, water, a first-aid kit, extra medications and
special items needed for babies, disabled or elderly
family members and family pets.
“At least one severe winter storm has affected
Illinois every winter for the past 100 years." said
Chris Miller, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with
NWS in Lincoln. "That’s why it’s so important to
take time now to prepare your family, your home and
your automobiles in advance of winter weather. Prior
to an anticipated storm, heed the warnings and use
the time to gather any supplies you will need for a
few days, or make adjustments to any travel plans you
may have.”
During the February blizzard, thousands of motorists
were stranded by up to two feet of snow that fell in
some areas of the state. A vehicle emergency
preparedness kit can help keep travelers safe until
help arrives. A car or truck kit should include a
cell phone and charger, flashlight, extra batteries,
first-aid kit, snack foods and water, blankets, extra
clothing, gloves and hats, sand or kitty litter,
shovel, windshield scraper and a tool kit.
In addition to stocking a vehicle preparedness kit,
motorists should also take special precautions when
traveling during the winter months. Always check the
latest weather conditions along your travel route
before leaving on a trip. Travel during daylight
hours on main roads and provide your itinerary to a
friend, relative or co-worker.
If you become stranded, pull as far off the road as
possible, set your hazard lights to flashing and hang
or tie a colored cloth (preferable red) to your
antenna, window or door. Stay in your vehicle where
rescuers are most likely to find you. Make sure the
exhaust pipe is not blocked by snow, and then run the
engine and heater about 10 minutes each hour to keep
warm. Open a window slightly for ventilation when
the engine is running, and periodically clear away
snow from the exhaust pipe.
For more information about emergency preparedness,
visit the Ready Illinois website at
www.Ready.Illinois.gov.