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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 Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washington, Will, and Winnebago Counties in Illinois for severe weather in July 2024
  • 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

Indoor Warning Radio

How Will You Know When an Emergency Happens?

You may find out about an emergency or disaster in one of a few ways. Weather warnings will usually be given on television and radio. A “severe weather watch” means a severe storm might develop. A “severe weather warning” means severe weather has already developed and you should seek shelter right away.

In certain situations, a community outdoor siren system may be activated if it is available. Listen to your local radio or television stations for emergency information. Emergency workers may drive by and give instructions over a loudspeaker, or they might even come to your door.

The best way to receive emergency information is through an All-Hazard Weather Radio.

Weather Radios

Because you may not hear outdoor warning sirens while you are indoors, it is important to have a tone-activated weather radio as part of your home preparedness plan. Weather radios receive broadcasts from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio All Hazards (NWR), which is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather information, as well as emergency information about other natural or environmental disasters or public safety hazards.

Weather radios are reasonable in cost and are manufactured by several companies. They can be purchased at many retail outlets (including electronics, sporting goods, and department stores) and online retailers or directly from manufacturers. If you purchase a weather radio with Specific Alert Message Encoding (SAME) technology, you can specify the particular area for which you will receive alerts. This minimizes the number of "false alarms" for events that may be a few counties away from where you live.