There are a number of severe weather hazards that affect Illinois, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, lightning, floods and flash floods, damaging winds and large hail, snow and ice. Severe weather hazards have the potential to cause extensive property damage, injury and/or death.
In 2006, Severe Weather Preparedness week had ended one day before the tornadoes touched down in Springfield.
In order to assist the people of Illinois to be better prepared in case of severe weather, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, works together with the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross to promote weather preparedness through public awareness campaigns. These goals are reached through press releases, media coverage and publication of a booklet containing information regarding safety measures, warning signs, historical data and contact information. The Severe Weather Preparedness document can be found here.
During the first week of March containing a Tuesday, the Severe Weather Preparedness campaign is promoted. This preparedness week is promoted in conjunction with the state-wide tornado drill. Read the Severe Weather Preparedness week press release.
For information on severe winter weather, click here.