EMA-OHS Recognizes National Preparedness Month As Severe Weather Events Increase in Number
SPRINGFIELD—Just this year, Illinois has already seen 115 tornadoes touch down in the state, which is the highest number of twisters in the nation for 2025. On top of that, communities have faced repeated rounds of severe storms, unleashing destructive straight-line winds and flooding across the state. With September recognized as National Preparedness Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is urging all residents to take this moment to review and strengthen their disaster preparedness plans
“Severe weather can strike with little warning, and the best defense is being ready before it happens,” said IEMA-OHS Acting Director Theodore (Ted) Berger. “The national ‘preparedness starts at home’ campaign reminds us that we each have a role to play by mapping out a plan and reviewing insurance coverage”
IEMA-OHS Blueprints
IEMA-OHS offers several blueprints to help residents prepare for an emergency.
- Emergency kits for home and vehicle: https://ready.illinois.gov/plan/gobag.html opens in new tab
- Family communications plan (invaluably if phones or cell service is out): https://ready.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/ready/sitecollectiondocuments/ihs-family-communication-plan.pdf opens in new tab
- Pet preparedness emergency kit: https://ready.illinois.gov/plan/animals.html opens in new tab
- Digital safety: https://www.ready.gov/cybersecurity opens in new tab
“Spending just a small amount of time on preparedness can save you significant costs and frustration when disaster strikes,” said Berger. “Something as simple as checking with your insurance agency about flood coverage can give you peace of mind. Too often, people don’t discover a gap in insurance until it’s too late.”
- http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/seniors opens in new tab
- https://www.cprcertified.com/blog/first-aid-and-health-safety-for-disasters opens in new tab
The following is a Power Outage Checklist, please review and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Safety Bulletins
- How to Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe opens in new tab
- Tips and Resources for Home Safety Preparation opens in new tab
- Think Before You Throw Press Release opens in new tab
- Severe Weather Preparedness Guide opens in new tab
- March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month opens in new tab
- IDOA and State Fire Marshal Reminds Farmers to Stay Safe While Working in Grain Bins opens in new tab
- IEMA Highlights Flood Safety Awareness Week opens in new tab
- OSFM Encourages Older Illinoisans to Practice Fire Safety opens in new tab
- Carbon Monoxide Info opens in new tab
- IEMA Encourages People to Prepare for Earthquakes opens in new tab
- State Public Safety Agencies to Monitor Winter Storm Needs Across the State opens in new tab
- IPRF Avoid Fallen Power Lines opens in new tab
- Heavy Snow Bitter Cold to Make Travel Hazardous opens in new tab
Other Fire & Health Resources
- FEMA opens in new tab
- Firehouse opens in new tab
- Great Lakes Burn Camp opens in new tab
- IAFF Firefighters opens in new tab
- Illinois Association of Fire Protection Districts opens in new tab
- Illinois Fire Safety Alliance opens in new tab
- National Fire Protection Association opens in new tab
- NFPA Printable Safety Tips opens in new tab
- Office of the State Fire Marshal opens in new tab
- Poison Help opens in new tab
- US Fire Administration opens in new tab
- WebMD – Better Info Better Health opens in new tab