Illinois Urges Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather Season

IEMA OHS provides safety tips for thunderstorms, tornadoes, and power outages

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA OHS) is urging all residents to take steps to prepare for the state's spring severe weather season, including creating emergency kits, securing important documents, and knowing how to shut off home utilities.

Why it matters

Severe weather events like thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods can cause significant damage and disruption, as seen by the millions of dollars in storm damages across Illinois in the last year. Preparing in advance can help protect people and property.

The details

IEMA OHS recommends that residents keep important records in a waterproof container, make an inventory of possessions, insure their property, know how to shut off home utilities, assemble emergency kits, and have backup phone chargers. The agency is highlighting these preparedness measures during Severe Weather Preparedness Month in March.

  • Severe Weather Preparedness Month is observed in March.
  • In the last year, Illinois has seen millions of dollars in storm damages.

The players

Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA OHS)

The state agency responsible for emergency management and homeland security in Illinois, which is urging residents to prepare for severe weather season.

Theodore (Ted) Berger

The acting director of IEMA OHS, who emphasized the importance of preparedness as severe weather can quickly impact communities.

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What they’re saying

“Millions of dollars in storm damages within the last year shows just how quickly severe weather can impact our communities,”

— Theodore (Ted) Berger, Acting Director, IEMA OHS (riverbender.com)

What’s next

IEMA OHS and the National Weather Service will recognize Winter Weather Preparedness Week in February 2026.

The takeaway

Preparing for severe weather by creating emergency kits, securing important documents, and knowing how to shut off utilities can help Illinois residents protect themselves and their property when thunderstorms, tornadoes, and other extreme weather events strike.