Storm Warnings

Tornados
Thunderstorms and Flooding

Don't kid yourself into believing that tornadoes occur only during the summer. The truth is that, in Illinois, most tornadoes occur during the months of April, May and June. Now is the time to insure that you and your family members fully understand the correct safety precautions.

Tornado Watch vs. Tornado Warning - What is the difference?

A tornado watch means that conditions are right for a tornado to occur. A warning means that a tornado has been detected. In Spring Grove, the emergency warning sirens are activated in the event of a tornado warning. Spring Grove residents should also keep in mind that the Village DOES NOT give an "all clear" signal.

Upon hearing a warning siren, you should:

• Go at once to the basement or interior part of the building on the lowest level.
• Stay away from windows.
• Go to the center of the room.
• Get under a piece of sturdy furniture such as a workbench or heavy table, and hold onto it.
• Use arms to protect head and neck.
• Use pillows, mattresses or cushions to protect your head and neck.

If you are outdoors when a tornado strikes:

• If possible, get inside a building.
• If shelter is not available or there is no time to get indoors, lie in a ditch or low-lying area or crouch near a strong building.
• Use arms to protect your head and neck.

If you are in your car when a tornado strikes:

• Never try to outrun a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car and toss it through the air.
• Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
• If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Cover your head and neck with your hands.

Do not open a window. Many people mistakenly believe they should open a window when a tornado is coming. They believe that since houses are airtight, the change in air pressure during a tornado could cause a home to explode. This is a myth. Actually, buildings are not airtight. They leak, equalizing air pressure naturally. Opening a window allows the strong winds to enter, causing damage and increase the possibility of injury.

After the Tornado

•  Monitor the radio or television for emergency information or instructions
• Check for injured victims. Render first aid if necessary.
• Check for neighbors or relatives who may require special assistance.
• Do not attempt to move severely injured victims unless absolutely necessary. Wait for emergency medical assistance to arrive.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
•  Exit damaged buildings. Re-enter only if absolutely necessary using great caution.
•  Take photos of or videotape the damage to your home or property.
• If driving, be alert for hazards on the roadway.
• If unaffected by the tornado, stay out of the damaged area until allowed entering by officials. Your presence may hamper emergency operations.

Tornado Facts

• 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 2001, 21 tornadoes were reported in Illinois.
• In 2002, 35 tornadoes occurred in Illinois resulting in four deaths and 64 injuries.
• 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.
• There is an average of 31 tornadoes per year in Illinois. Most tornadoes produce winds 60 to 112 mph. The most violent tornadoes can produce winds up to 318 mph.

Thunderstorms / Flooding

Severe Weather Watch - Severe weather may develop, with the highest probability in and close to the watch area. A watch is only an indication of where and when the probabilities for severe weather are highest. People within the Watch area should be on the look-out for threatening weather conditions which may rapidly develop in the area.

Severe Weather Warning - A severe thunderstorm or tornado has actually been sighted in the area or its presence indicated by radar. A Warning describes the "downstream" area that could be affected. This area is determined from the location, size, direction and speed of movement of the storm. When a Warning is received, person(s) in the path of the storm should seek shelter immediately.

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.
• Each year, more people are killed by lightning than tornadoes in the United States.
• Most deaths occur in open fields (ballfields) 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 2003 was in the McLean County town of Stanford, where 4 ½” hail fell on the evening of May 9th.

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 floods since 1995. Seven of the 13 deaths occurred in vehicles. Other deaths occur when people (especially children) play in or near flood waters, and when people living near flooded streams try to protect their property.

Recommended Actions For Severe Weather

By becoming familiar with and implementing the following recommended actions, you and your family will be better protected in the event of thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding.

Before Thunderstorms

• Check the weather forecast before leaving for extended outdoor periods and
  postpone plans if severe weather is imminent.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers. Teach children how and when to call 911 for emergency assistance.
• Choose a friend or family member who lives out of the area for separated family members to call to report their whereabouts and condition.
• Keep important documents and records in a safe deposit box or other secure
  location.
• Maintain a disaster supply kit.

During Thunderstorms

• Close all windows and doors. Draw the shades or blinds to reduce the risk from flying glass if window or door glass breaks due to high winds.
• Monitor the radio or television for the latest weather information.
• Avoid using the telephone or other electrical appliances until the storm passes.
• Turn off air conditioners. If lightning strikes, a power surge could damage the
  compressor.
• Delay taking baths or showers until after the storm passes.
• If outdoors, seek shelter immediately. If you can hear thunder, you are probably close enough to the storm to be struck by lightning.
• If you are in a boat when a thunderstorm threatens, you should attempt to reach shore as quickly as possible.
• If you are driving, pull safely to the shoulder away from trees and power lines. Lightning can flash from trees or power poles into a vehicle through the radio antenna. Normally, in the open, a vehicle is a safe shelter from lightning. Avoid touching metal parts of the vehicle when lightning is nearby.
• If you find yourself in a position where there is no immediate shelter available, find a low spot away from trees and power poles where you can squat low to the ground. Make yourself the smallest target possible.

After Thunderstorms

• Monitor the radio or television for emergency information or instructions.
• Check for injured victims. Render first aid if necessary. Most lightning strike victims can be revived with CPR. Do not attempt to move severely injured victims unless absolutely necessary. Wait for emergency medical assistance to arrive.
• Take photos of or videotape the damage to your home or property.
• Use the telephone only for emergency calls.
• If driving, be alert for hazards on the roadway.
• Check on neighbors or relatives who may require special assistance.

During Flooding

• Monitor the radio or television for the latest weather information.
• Move valuable household possessions to the upper floor or move to another location if flooding is imminent and time permits.
• If instructed to do so by local authorities, turn off utilities at their source.
• Listen to a battery-operated radio for evacuation instructions.
• If advised to evacuate, do so quickly.
• Evacuation is much simpler and safer before flood waters become too deep for
  ordinary vehicles to drive through.
• Follow recommended evacuation routes. Short cuts may be blocked.
• People lose their lives by attempting to drive on a flooded roadway. The speed and depth of the water is not always obvious. There may be a hidden portion of the roadway washed out under the water. Two feet of water will carry away most automobiles.

After Flooding

• Flood dangers do not end when the water begins to recede. Listen to a radio or television and don’t return home until authorities indicate it is safe to do so.
• When you are allowed to return, remember to help your neighbors who may require special assistance.
• Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.
• When entering buildings, use extreme caution.
• Look for fire hazards.
• If your home was damaged, check the utilities.
• Stay out of buildings that remain in the flood waters.
• Avoid coming in contact with flood waters. The water may be contaminated with oil, gasoline or raw sewage.
• Do not wade through a flooded stream to protect or retrieve belongings.
• Consider your family's health and safety. Wash your hands frequently with soap and clean water if you come in contact with flood waters. Listen for news reports to learn whether the community's water supply is safe to drink.
• Throw away food -- including canned goods -- that has come in contact with flood waters.
• Pump out flooded basements gradually (about one-third of the water per day) to avoid structural damage.
• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits and leaching systems as soon as
  possible. Damaged sewer systems pose a health hazard.
• Stay alert for areas where flood waters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a vehicle.
• Do not let children play in or near flood waters, flooded creeks or flood retention ponds.
• Stay away from downed power lines. Report them to the utility company immediately.
• If unaffected by the flood, stay out of the area until allowed to enter by officials. Your presence may hamper emergency operations.
• Monitor the radio for special information about where to go to get assistance for housing, clothing and food. Other programs are available to help you cope with the stress of the situation.
• Take photos of or videotape the damage to your home and your belongings.