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Severe Weather Preparedness Week / Statewide Tornado Drill Tues.
March 6, 2017 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Statewide Tornado Drill Planned for Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.
North Aurora, IL – The National Weather Service (NWS), Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), and local emergency managers are urging the public to prepare for severe weather. This week, through Saturday, March 11th is Severe Weather Preparedness Week and officials hope to increase awareness of severe weather and urge the public to make a plan and practice it.
“We can’t prevent dangerous storms from occurring,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “However, there are ways to prepare to help you stay safe when severe weather strikes. We encourage everyone to learn more about severe weather hazards, identify a safe place to go during storms, and assemble and maintain an emergency supply kit. These actions could help save your life or the life of your loved ones.”
Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and flooding occur most from April through June, although tornadoes last month and in November, 2013 remind us that severe weather can happen anytime. The peak hours for tornadoes are between 3:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., though they can occur anytime.
In conjunction with Severe Weather Preparedness Week, the statewide tornado drill will be held on Tuesday, March 7th at 10:00 a.m. A test tornado warning will be issued for all Illinois counties, NOAA weather radios will alert, North Aurora outdoor warning sirens will sound, and many commercial radio and television stations will also pass along the warning.
More information about severe weather is available at http://www.weather.gov/lot/severeprepare. IEMA and NWS have developed a Severe Weather Guide, which provides information about tornadoes, severe storms, and lightning and how to prepare. Get it at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
Finally, IEMA and the Illinois Emergency Services Management Association (IESMA) are sponsoring a contest that offers you a chance to win a NOAA portable weather alert radio. 100 radios will be given away throughout Illinois. Enter the contest by going to www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
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For media inquiries, contact:
Deputy Chief Scott Buziecki
630-897-8705, ext. 752
Email: sbuziecki@northaurora.org
