Illinois officials warn residents to be ready for tornadoes

tornado
Clark says to make sure your home has a NOAA weather radio at the ready. (Photo courtesy: Flickr)

By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – As officials in Nashville provide updates after deadly tornadoes ripped through their city early Tuesday morning, Illinois officials want residents to be prepared for tornado season and other potentially dangerous weather.

Several tornadoes ripped through the Nashville area Monday night into Tuesday morning, killing at least 24 and injuring dozens more. Hours later, Illinois’ monthly tornado siren tests went off across the state.

Rebecca Clark with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency said residents need to be ready for the next potentially dangerous storm.

“Building a culture of preparedness is how we increase disaster readiness in our everyday lives,” she said.

Every home, Clark said, should have emergency equipment such as flashlights, first aid supplies and a NOAA weather radio.

“Much like the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that we have in our home, NOAA weather radios are a key device that all families should have,” she said.

Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois is March 1 to March 7 and March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month.

Illinois Radio Network can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…