Resident guide
Emergency Preparedness and Severe Weather
Prepare for floods, thunderstorms and tornadoes, and use current official alerts when conditions change.
Emergency or information?
Call 911 for an emergency or immediate police, fire or medical response. For non-emergency Police information call 630-293-2222. Static pages are never a source for active warnings.
Make a household plan
Choose shelter locations, communication contacts and meeting places. Keep medications, water, flashlights, weather alerts and supplies available. ESDA volunteers support storm spotting, traffic control and disaster response.
Flooding
Move to higher ground and follow evacuation instructions. Never drive through floodwater. Avoid contaminated water, downed lines and damaged utilities; return only when authorities say it is safe.
Thunderstorms and lightning
A watch means conditions are possible; a warning means act now. Go to substantial shelter, stay away from windows, plumbing and electrical equipment, and monitor the National Weather Service.
Tornadoes
Go to a basement or small interior room on the lowest level, away from windows. Protect your head and neck. Leave mobile homes for substantial shelter and never shelter under an overpass.
Source coverage: Emergency Services Disaster Agency (ESDA)
If you are in need of emergency assistance, call 9-1-1. For all other questions, contact the West Chicago Police Department at (630) 293-2222. Mission Statement In accordance with the Illinois Emergency Management Act of January, 1992, the West Chicago Emergency Services and Disaster Agency exists to prevent, minimize, repair, and alleviate injury or damage resulting from disaster caused by enemy attack, sabotage, or other hostile action, or from natural or man-made disasters. Our primary function continues to be one of support/relief for the West Chicago Police Department. Typically we provide assistance at major traffic accidents, protect evidence at crime scenes, and protect the public and property in the event of weather-related damage. In addition, ESDA volunteers are trained to spot potentially hazardous weather which may affect the City, or Western DuPage County. We are part of a multi-county network of weather spotters, providing first-hand information This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: Flooding
Flooding is the number one severe weather killer nationwide. Nationally, 75 percent of the presidential disaster declarations are the result of floods. Floods can take several hours to days to develop. The most dangerous type of flooding is a flash flood. Flash floods can sweep away everyone and everything in their path. Most flash floods are caused by slow-moving thunderstorms, and occur most frequently at night, in mid to late summer. Fourteen people in Illinois have died from flash floods since 1995. Most of the deaths occurred in vehicles. BEFORE A FLOOD know the terms used to describe flood threats: Flood Watch – Flooding or flash flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground. Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio or commercial television for additional information. Flood Warning – Flooding is occurring or will occur soon. If advised to evacuate, do so This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: Thunderstorms
Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes, damaging winds, lightning, hail or heavy rain. Thunderstorms are most likely to happen in the spring and summer. In Illinois, severe thunderstorms frequently occur in the late afternoon or evening. Most lightning deaths occur in open fields, and under or near trees. Ninety-six people have been killed by lightning in Illinois in the past 40 years. In 2001, Illinois ranked second in the United States for lightning fatalities. In 2003, large hail resulted in nearly $20 million in property and crop damage in Illinois. The largest hailstone in 2004 was in McLean county, 8 miles north of Bloomington/Normal, near the town of Hudson where 4.25″ hail fell on the afternoon of July 13th. BEFORE THUNDERSTORMS know the terms used to describe severe thunderstorm threats: Severe Thunderstorm Watch – Severe thunderstorms are possible. Watch the sky and listen to the radio This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: Tornados
A tornado is a violent, rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. Most tornado damage paths are less than 100 yards wide and a couple of miles long, but can be up to a mile wide and 50 miles long. Most tornadoes occur in the spring, but they have occurred every month of the year. In 2002, 35 tornadoes occurred in Illinois. In 2003, a record setting 120 tornadoes occurred in Illinois, resulting in two deaths, 81 injuries, and more than $40 million in damage. The previous record was 107 set in 1974. In 2004, 80 tornadoes occurred in Illinois, resulting in 9 deaths and 23 injuries. There is an average of 39 tornadoes per year in Illinois. BEFORE A TORNADO know the terms used to describe tornado threats: Tornado Watch — Tornadoes are possible. Watch the sky and listen to This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.
Source coverage: Weather Information
SOURCES OF WEATHER AND WEATHER SAFETY INFORMATION For additional information on severe weather or other hazards, contact the following: • Your local Emergency Management Agency (EMA/ESDA) • Your local chapter of the American Red Cross (ARC) or www.redcross.org • The nearest office of the National Weather Service (NWS) • National Weather Service Forecast Office websites: Davenport, IA www.crh.noaa.gov/dvn Romeoville, IL www.crh.noaa.gov/lot Lincoln, IL www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx St. Louis, MO www.crh.noaa.gov/lsx Paducah, KY www.crh.noaa.gov/pah • Illinois Emergency Management Agency website at http://www.state.il.us/iema NOAA WEATHER RADIO Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for the latest weather forecasts. The National Weather Service broadcasts weather information, including watches, warnings and advisories 24 hours a day. Weather radio transmitters have a range of about 40 miles. Weather radio transmitters that cover Illinois are shown below. A map depicting the coverage of each transmitter can be found at: www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/nwr/nwrexpand.htm CITY STATION FREQUENCY Bloomington KZZ-65 This local guide preserves this stable context; use the official source for changing forms, dates, fees, rosters, availability, legal documents and current operations.