Emergency management and preparedness

Make a plan today. Your family may not be together if a disaster strikes, so it is important to know which types of disasters could affect your area. Know how you will contact one another and reconnect if separated. Establish a family meeting place that is familiar and easy to find.

Step 1: Put a plan together by discussing the questions below with your family, friends or household to start your emergency plan

Step 2: Consider specific needs in your household

Step 3: Fill out a family emergency plan

Step 4: Practice your plan with your family/household

Learn more about making a plan.

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food or water and other supplies to last for the first 72 hours. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Learn more about what you should include in your kit.

An emergency health information card communicates to first responders what they need to know about you if they find you unconscious, incoherent or if they need to quickly help you evacuate. An emergency health information card should contain information about any disabilities, medications, any equipment you use, allergies, communication difficulties you may have, preferred treatment and medical providers, and emergency contacts.

Print the emergency health information card located below and complete it with a permanent ink pen. Make multiple copies of the card to keep in emergency supply kits, car, wallet or purse, wheelchair pack, etc. 

When emergencies strike, officials will use timely and reliable systems to alert you. Learn about different warning alerts you can get and how to get them.

Part of preparing for a storm or a tornado is understanding the National Weather Service (NWS) forecast products, especially the Winter Storm Severity Index. Look out for:

• Storm surge warning: The danger of life-threatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the shoreline somewhere within the specified area, generally within 30 hours.
• Extreme wind warning: Extreme sustained winds of a major hurricane (115 mph or greater), usually associated with the eyewall, are expected to begin within an hour. Take immediate shelter in the interior portion of a well-built structure.

Disability intersects every demographic group—there are people with disabilities of all ages, races, genders or national origin. Disabilities can impact a person in a variety of ways—both visible and invisible. For people with disabilities and their families, it is important to consider individual circumstances and needs to effectively prepare for emergencies and disasters.

Learn more about how to prepare people with disabilities for an emergency.

As an older adult, you may have specific needs after a disaster. Use the information on this page to assess your needs and take simple,  low-cost steps that help you get better prepared:  

• Assess your needs
• Create a plan
• Engage your network.

Your pets are an important member of your family, so they need to be included in your family’s emergency plan. To prepare for the unexpected follow these tips with your pets in mind: 

• Make a plan
• Build an emergency kit
• Stay informed

Learn more about how to prepare for your pets in a disaster.

Build an emergency supply kit for your vehicle to prepare for winter weather. You never know when you will encounter winter weather or an emergency road closure. We advise keeping these items in your vehicle:

• Cell phone charger
• First aid kit
• Jumper cables
• Spare tire
• Flares
• Full tank of gas
• Sand or kitty litter
• Tow rope
• Blankets
• Snow shovel and brush
• Flashlight
• Water and non-perishable snacks
• Mittens, hat, boots and warm clothes

Stay off the roads during hazardous winter weather whenever possible. If you absolutely have to venture out, be sure to have emergency supplies in your vehicle, and that your mobile phone is fully charged -- it could become your lifeline if disaster should strike. 

Victims of frostbite are often unaware because frozen tissue is numb. Look for these signs and symptoms:

• Redness or pain in any skin area may be the first sign of frostbite
• A white or yellowish skin area
• Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy
• Numbness

Hypothermia often occurs at very cold temperatures but can occur at cool temperatures (above 40 degrees Fahrenheit ), if a person is wet (from rain, sweat or cold water) and becomes chilled. Look for these signs and symptoms:

• Adults
  • Shivering
  • Exhaustion
  • Confusion
  • Fumbling hands
  • Memory loss
  • Slurred speech
  • Drowsiness
• Infants
  • Bright red, cold skin
  • Very low energy

If a person's temperature is below 95 degree Fahrenheit get medical attention immediately.

Pay close attention to changing weather conditions in your area. If you know thunderstorms are expected, stay tuned to local radio and TV stations or an NOAA weather radio for further weather information. Some tornadoes strike rapidly without time for a tornado warning. The following weather signs may mean that a tornado is approaching:

• A dark or green-colored sky
• A large, dark, low-lying cloud
• Large hail
• A loud roar that sounds like a freight train

If you notice any of these conditions, take cover immediately, and keep tuned to local radio and TV stations or to a NOAA weather radio or check the internet.

Falling and flying debris causes most deaths and injuries during a tornado. Although there is no completely safe place during a tornado, some locations are much safer than others.

• Go to the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet, center hallway).
• If possible, avoid sheltering in a room with windows.
• For added protection get under something sturdy (a heavy table or workbench). Cover your body with a blanket, sleeping bag or mattress. Protect your head with anything available.
• Do not stay in a mobile home.

• CDC natural disasters and severe weather
• CDC: emergency preparedness and response
• Disaster Assistance Improvement Program (DAIP)
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Natural Disasters and Weather Emergencies
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• FEMA Social Hub
• FEMA Mobile App and Text Messages 
• Food & Drug Administration Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Ready.Gov Disasters & Emergencies Resource
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• USA.gov Disasters and Emergencies

• National Weather Service 
• Storm Prediction Center
• Severe weather information

• Preparedness at illinois.gov
• Ready Illinois
• Safe2Help Illinois
• Keep Cool Illinois - Locate cooling centers
• Warming Centers Illinois

Lake County

• Emergency preparedness information - Lake County, IL
• Extreme weather preparedness - Lake County, IL
• Lake County road closures and construction

Cook County

• Emergency management and regional security - Cook County, IL

McHenry County

• Emergency Management Agency - McHenry County, IL

• Wisconsin emergency response plan

Milwaukee County

• Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management
• How the Office of Emergency Management warn the community

During a disaster response, affected communities depend heavily on local and national volunteer organizations to provide trained volunteers and much-needed donated supplies. Get involved today by donating to or volunteering with a reputable organization. 

• Volunteer to respond to disasters and help your community
• Join a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program and get trained on basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations

Learn more about how to volunteer and donate.

Learn more about Citizen Corps - Illinois.

You could help save countless lives by taking simple actions to prepare your community or organization for a disaster before one strikes. Local public safety departments and emergency managers offer free trainings and education tools to train yourself and others on the best ways to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a disaster or emergency.

Learn more about how to training and education.