IEMA, National Weather Service encourage Illinois residents to prepare for winter storms

Staff Writer

Aledo Times Record

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