Threats and Hazards

For a a full list of definitions, click here to visit the National Weather Service Chicago Office page.

• Lightning causes about 55-60 deaths a year and near 400 injuries each year. Stay indoors when lightening is present. Do not swim, play sports or stand under large trees. Do not be the tallest object around. Try and get indoors if possible. Remember "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors."
• Tornadoes are possible during thunderstorms when conditions are right. Tornadoes can produce wind speeds up to 200 miles per hour, can stay on the ground for over 50 miles, and have been reported to be a mile wide in some cases.
• The safest place to be during a tornado is in an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
  • If there isn't a basement, move to an interior room on the lowest level with no windows.
  • If you're outside, try and get indoors. If you cannot safely make it indoors, take shelter in a vehicle and buckle up. If you cannot make it indoors or to a vehicle, then find the lowest spot and lie facedown flat while covering the back of your head.

• Straight-line winds are not caused by tornadoes. This type of wind is responsible for the majority of thunderstorm wind damage. Straight-line winds can reach up to 125 mph which is strong enough to cause building damage.
• Derechos occur when straight-line winds are widespread, long-lasting, and powerful.
• Downbursts are caused by rapidly descending air coming out beneath a thunderstorm. Downbursts that occur over a diameter of 2.5 miles or less are called microburst. Winds from a downburst or microburst can be as damaging as a tornado.

• ("Turn Around, Don't Drown!") Flash floods and floods are the number 1 cause of deaths associated with Thunderstorms.
• Flash Floods usually occur in less than 6 hours from heavy rainfall, dam or leave failure or ice jams. Many flash floods occur during nighttime hours.
• Floods occur more gradually usually longer than 6 hours and are caused by an abnormally high-water flow.

Range of Flood Types

Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States, however not all floods are alike. Some floods develop slowly, while others such as flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain. Additionally, floods can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.

Flash Floods

Flash floods can occur within a few minutes or hours of excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or a sudden release of water held by an ice jam. Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water carrying rocks, mud and other debris. Overland flooding, the most common type of flooding event typically occurs when waterways such as rivers or streams overflow their banks as a result of rainwater or a possible levee breach and cause flooding in surrounding areas. It can also occur when rainfall or snowmelt exceeds the capacity of underground pipes, or the capacity of streets and drains designed to carry flood water away from urban areas.

Flood Hazards

Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live or work, but especially if you are in low-lying areas, near water, behind a levee or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood.

Hail is a form of precipitation consisting of solid ice that forms inside thunderstorm updraft. When caught in a thunderstorm that is producing hail, take shelter inside immediately. Hail can damage aircraft, homes, and cars. It can also be deadly to livestock and people.

An earthquake is a sudden, rapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks deep underneath the earth’s surface. You never know when or where an earthquake will occur, and it can happen anywhere.

Prepare for an Earthquake

• Make a plan and build a kit
• Protect your home by securing heavy items and objects that hand on walls.
• Consider making improvements to your home that could prevent total collapse.
• Consider obtaining earthquake insurances

During an Earthquake

• If you are in a car, pull over and stop
• If you are outdoors, stay outdoors away from buildings
• If you are inside, Drop, Cover, and Hold On

After an Earthquake

• Expect aftershocks
• If you are in a damaged building, go outside and move away from the building
• If you are trapped, send a text message or bang on a pipe or wall
• Once you are safe pay attention to local news reports
• Be careful when cleaning up. Wear protective clothing, thick-soled shoes, and appropriate face covering.
• Do not enter buildings or dwellings with water leaks, mold growth, gas leaks, or fires.

Extended power outages may impact our community due to severe weather or accidents. A power outage may:

• Disrupt communications, water or transportation
• Close businesses including grocery, gas, retail, and banking services
• Cause food spoilage
• Prevent use of home medical devices

Prepare for an Outage

• Take inventory of items you have in your home that need electricity: such as medical devices, appliances, heating or cooling, etc. Have flashlights and extra batteries on hand
• Have extra power sources such as power banks for small electronic devices or portable generator for house hold appliances and/or medical equipment. See info on generator safety here.
• Consider installing generator back up power for your home.
• Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for your medical devices or refrigerated medicines.

During an Outage

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed and limit opening during the outage.
• Do not use candles as they can cause fires.
• Do not use gas stoves to heat your home.
• Do not use fuel powered generators inside your home as they can cause carbon monoxide sickness, and use it at least 20 feet away from windows, doors, and garages.
• Disconnect unnecessary electrical devices to avoid damage from electrical surges.
• Go to a community location with power if the area has extreme heat or cold conditions.

After an Outage

• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or if it has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
• If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless your primary provider says otherwise.

Explosive devices can be carried in a vehicle or by a person, delivered in a package or concealed on the roadside.

Prepare for an Explosion

• Build a kit and make a family emergency plan
• Learn how to identify suspicious activity and what to do in the event of a threat.
• Make sure you update your information with your employer, bank, lawyer, and other key services about designated beneficiaries or emergency contacts.
• If you see something, say something by reporting suspicious activity to your local police department.

During or Immediately after an Explosion

• Follow instructions of local officials
• Remain calm
• Evacuate to remain safe – do not retrieve personal possessions or make phone calls until you are at a safe location.

After you evacuate, contact your family to let them know you are safe.

These are nothing new, and everyday bad actors are looking for new targets. If you think you are not at risk – think again! Cyber criminals count on you thinking you are not a target.

A cyber-attack is an unwelcome attempt to steal, expose, alter, disable, or destroy another’s assets through unauthorized access to your computer, accounts, or information. An attack can occur in many ways:

• Accessing vulnerable computers, mobile phones, gaming systems, and internet or Bluetooth connected devices.
• Phishing attempts to gain access to a system under false pretenses, such as an official looking email or social media profile or post.
• Hacking into computer software and network systems due to poor security measures.

Protect Yourself

• Limit your personal information online
• Change your privacy settings
• Create strong passwords and update regularly
• Secure your internet connection and Wi-Fi network
• Do not click on links in texts, on social media, or emails from people you don’t know
• Turn on multifactor authentication

During an Attack

• Check your bank and credit card statements for unrecognizable charges
• Turn off the device that has been affected
• Be alert for emails and social media users that ask for private information

After an Attack

• Contact banks, credit card companies and other financial services to place holds on accounts and close any unauthorized accounts.
• File a report with the proper federal, state, and local authorities. Go to the local police department first.

Contact additional agencies such as Social Security Administration or Department of Motor Vehicles.

Limit the Spread of Germs & Prevent Infection

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.
• If possible, stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. It may prevent those around you from getting sick.
• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Practice other good health habits. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.