July 16, 2015 Tornadoes

State agencies ready to assist following tornado touchdowns

SPRINGFIELD – Governor Rauner this evening activated the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield to ensure state personnel and equipment are ready to be quickly deployed if needed to help local emergency responders with public safety  issues following reports of at least one tornado touchdown in northwest Illinois and the potential for more severe weather.

“I activated the State Emergency Operations Center to ensure we’re ready to act quickly if any local responders need our assistance,” said Governor Rauner. “Illinois State Police is already at the scene and we have staff from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency enroute to the area to support local response efforts.”

Representatives from several state agencies are reporting to the SEOC. State officials are assessing the storm’s impact and communicating with local response officials to determine if state resources are needed to ensure citizen safety.

The SEOC will remain activated as long as necessary.

For updates on the current situation, visit the Ready Illinois website at www.ready.illinois.gov.

Volunteers and Donations Information

FINANCIAL GIFTS ARE THE BEST WAY TO HELP!

·        FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO VOLUNTARY AGENCIES RESPONDING TO DISASTERS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO HELP

·        Cash allows disaster agencies to purchase exactly what is needed.

MATERIAL DONATIONS FOR DISASTERS

·        Donate ONLY those things that are requested by officials and bring them to the official designated collection centers. At present, there are no requests for donated goods in the affected areas.

TO VOLUNTEER

·        DO NOT GO TO THE SCENE OF A DISASTER

·        The arrival of unexpected volunteers will interfere with response efforts

·        STAY SAFE by volunteering with a reputable agency!

·        Volunteers will be needed most during the long-term recovery phase, which will last months/years. When there is verified information that affected areas are accepting volunteers, this information will be posted below. 

·        Please be patient and WAIT until relief agencies can train you and use your help

Helpful Links

Visit the Warren County Sheriff's Facebook Page for updates on Cameron tornado recovery:

• https://www.facebook.com/#!/WarrenCOSO?fref=ts