By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Severe weather season in Illinois is off to a busy start, which emergency managers say makes it particularly critical that you’re prepared.

The last round of storms that rolled through Illinois hit late Monday night and after midnight in some spots. The National Weather Service issued at least a half dozen tornado warnings.

Patti Thompson, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, said many people might have missed the warnings because they don’t have a weather radio or couldn’t hear the sirens.

Thompson said smartphones can now do the job.

“There are apps that people can add to their smartphones that can (issue) alerts,” Thompson said. “There are also wireless emergency alerts that most smartphones are enabled with.”

Thompson said people can check their phone’s alert notifications in the settings menu.

Using apps is easier for many people, since most folks don’t have traditional radios in their bedrooms and can’t hear the severe weather sirens, Thompson said.

“We really recommend that people have multiple ways to get (severe weather) information,” Thompson said. “It’s really important to know a hazard is headed your way, and that you need to take cover.”

Forecasters say it could be some time before they get a full picture of the damage caused by Monday night’s severe weather.

This is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois.

WJBC 1230 AM and 1230 AM also provides the latest weather information with updates through Twitter.com/WJBC and Facebook.com/WJBCAM.