Piatt County EMA Prepares for Spring Storm Season

Piatt County Emergency Management Agency has a very limited quantity of weather radios available for county residents. Some of those radios were distributed to county agencies and residents in unincorporated areas of Piatt County that do not have a nearby storm siren. The rest of the radios will be distributed at a later date.

Severe weather can happen any time of the year. Dangerous weather can include severe thunderstorms, violent tornados, or rushing flood waters. The Piatt County Emergency Management Agency is reaching out to make sure residents know how they can prepare for severe storms and stay safe when they arrive.

Stay Informed- Monitor television, radio, phone applications, and weather radio notifications to learn when severe weather is approaching. DO NOT rely on one method of notification. Keep in mind storm sirens are not designed to be heard indoors by everyone. Be aware of issued watches, warnings, and advisories.

Have a Plan- Make sure you have a severe weather plan for your home, workplace, and school. Also have a plan when you are traveling. Know where you can go to stay safe during a storm or tornado and pick two places to meet if you are separated from your family or co-workers.

Prepare- Learn how to use a fire extinguisher and how to administer basic first aid/CPR. It is also important to know where the electricity, natural gas, and water turnoffs are at your residence.

Have an Emergency Supply Kit- Storms can cause power outages that can last from a few minutes to several days. Make a kit with the following supplies to help you until power can be restored: Bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlight with extra batteries, first aid kit with needed medications, extra clothing/blankets, personal hygiene items, pet food, and a weather alert radio/portable AM/FM radio.

The Piatt County Emergency Management Agency has a very limited quantity of weather radios available for county residents. Some of those radios were distributed to county agencies and residents in unincorporated areas of Piatt County that do not have a nearby storm siren. The rest of the radios will be distributed at a later date.

Piatt County utilizes information from the National Weather Service and trained weather spotters when storms hit. The Piatt County Ham Radio and Storm Spotter group is always looking for volunteers. The meetings are held at the Livingston Center, 224 E. Livingston, Monticello and open to anyone interested in joining the group. Please contact Piatt County EMA Director Rob Bross (r.bross@piatt.gov) for more information. Other storm and disaster information can be found at ready.illinois.gov