Tornado Watch: BE PREPARED!

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Have a plan!

There has been ANOTHER tornado watch that has been issued for northern Illinois throughout the afternoon and evening. The watch has been issued until 10PM tonight for over 17 counties in Illinois. Severe storms are possible across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana. There is an area-wide threat for damaging winds, large hail and a couple tornadoes. There will also be heavy rainfall and flooding that can go into overnight. The weather service advises having multiple ways to receive weather warnings. They are also suggesting to have a plan set in place with your family and friends. 

When it comes to making a plan for when disaster strikes, it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Make sure to know how you will contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that's familiar and easy to find. Make sure to have the following..

1. A way to receive emergency alerts and warnings

2. Shelter plan

3. Evacuation route

4. Family/household communication plan

5. Update emergency preparedness kit

You will next want to consider specific needs in your household. Make sure to discuss your needs and responsibilities and how people in the network can assist each other with communication, care of children, business, pets or specific needs like operating medical equipment. Keep in mind some of these factors when developing your plan:

- different ages of members within your household

- responsibilities for assisting others

- locations frequented

- dietary needs

- medical needs including prescriptions and equipment

- disabilities or access and functional needs including devices and equipment

- languages spoken

- cultural and religious considerations 

- pets or service animals

- households with school-aged children

You can never be to prepared when it comes to natural disasters, so please make sure you have a plan in place for when one strikes! Remember that SERVPRO is always here to help to make it look "Like it never even happened." Stay safe!