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In the ongoing effort to support our local, county, and state partners, IEMA will provide information and specifics to coordinate current information:
 

  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for St. Clair County in Illinois for flooding for 2022
  • Presidential Disaster Declaration for Cook County in Illinois for severe weather in June/July 2023
  • The State of Illinois Disaster Proclamation for the Asylum Seekers in Illinois

Tornadoes

Before a Tornado

Signs of a Tornado

Tornadoes vary greatly in their appearance and can occur with little or no warning. It is important to know the signs that a tornado could be imminent.

  • A dark, often greenish sky.
  • A wall cloud, particularly if it is rotating.
  • Large hail, which is often produced by the same storms that produce tornadoes.
  • A loud roar, similar to the sound of a freight train.
  • Tornadoes may occur and be visible near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm.
  • Tornadoes may also be embedded in rain and not visible.

During a Tornado Watch

  • Listen to a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio or your local radio or television stations for updated information.
  • Be alert to rapidly-changing weather conditions. Watch for signs of a possible tornado.
  • Know where your family members are. Use this opportunity to review your Family Emergency Plan. Even if a tornado does not strike, there is still the likelihood of severe weather conditions.

Warning Sirens

Some communities have an outdoor Emergency Siren Warning System. This is a series of all-hazards, outdoor sirens in a community. Because of the unpredictability and sudden appearance of tornadoes, it may not be possible to provide advance warning; however, if you hear the warning siren, immediately seek shelter and tune in to a local radio or television station.

What Do the Sirens Mean?

Most systems use two siren tones. When they are activated, the sirens sound for a set amount of time as determined by your community.

  • Alert: A single tone signifying an emergency alert. This signal may be used for an emergency or disaster, including a severe storm, tornado warning (not a tornado watch), earthquake, chemical hazard/hazardous material incident, extreme winds, or biological hazard.

  • Attack: An up-and-down, rising and falling tone to signify there is a homeland security or attack emergency. This signal would be used if community officials were notified by federal and/or state government officials of an actual or impending attack on the local community.

  • All Clear: not used by all communities. Please tune in to your local news agencies and listen for notification from city officials regarding the emergency.

Siren Text

Communities perform a siren test on the first Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m.

What Do the Siren Signals Sound Like?

Note: Audio files are produced in MP3 format. You will need to use a media player to play the files.

During a Tornado Warning

  • Listen to your battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio or a local radio or television station for updated information. If the electricity goes out, you will still be able to receive emergency information on a battery-operated device.

  • If you're at home, go to your pre-identified safe zone to protect yourself from glass and other flying objects. If possible, seek shelter under a piece of large, sturdy furniture, such as a large table or workbench, to protect yourself from falling debris or flying objects. Stay away from windows. Do NOT open them.

  • If you're not in your home, seek shelter in the basement or an interior room of a nearby, sturdy building. Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately. If no shelter is available, lie flat in a low spot with your arms and hands protecting your head. Contrary to popular belief, seeking shelter underneath a highway or railroad overpass does not provide any measurable safety.

  • Remain in your safe zone or shelter until the storm has passed. Stay alert for new storms that may follow.

After a Tornado

  • Continue listening to local radio or television stations and your NOAA Weather Radio for updated information.

  • Review your Family Emergency Plan and follow through with your Communications Plan. If all of your family members are not present, report to your family's pre-designated meeting point, unless emergency officials direct otherwise.

  • Assess any damage to your home or immediate surroundings. Be aware of any potential hazards such as ruptured gas lines, structural damage to your home, downed electrical lines, and localized flooding. Immediately report any injuries or hazards via 9-1-1. Advise your family and neighbors as well.

  • Call 9-1-1 to report injured or trapped persons. Give first aid where appropriate, but do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger. Never enter any building that appears to have suffered structural damage or that poses any other hazards.

  • Do not enter any disaster area. Your presence there will simply add to the confusion and may hamper emergency response efforts. A public message will be broadcast in the event that volunteers are needed.

  • Use the telephone only for emergency calls. Once you have notified your pre-identified emergency contact person that you are okay, let him or her notify other family or loved ones. Telephones are frequently overwhelmed in a disaster situation and need to be clear for emergency calls to get through.

For Additional Information