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Disaster preparedness

Blog Posts

Ligthening in the sky, stormy
Read article: Severe weather
Severe weather
Spring is the time of year that we pay more attention to the weather. Whether we are watching the television, listening to the radio, checking our...
man shoveling snow with poor form
Read article: Prevent post-shoveling aches and pains
Prevent post-shoveling aches and pains
It’s officially winter which means snowfall is imminent! There are an estimated 11,500 snow shovel-related injuries and medical emergencies a year....
Flooded road
Read article: Stormwater woes, and how rain gardens can help
Stormwater woes, and how rain gardens can help
A local problem with widespread implications What is a watershed? No matter where you live, you are in a watershed. All of Illinois, minus that...
Yellow siren on roof of brick building
Read article: What does it mean when warning sirens go off?
What does it mean when warning sirens go off?
Ominous clouds and an approaching storm may be accompanied by the wail of a community siren. Other times they can be heard in the morning on what may...
aerial photo of hurricane moving toward east coast of United States
Read article: Hurricanes are nature's heat pumps
Hurricanes are nature's heat pumps
At the writing of this post on September 2, we are in the average peak week of hurricane activity for the Gulf of Mexico. Remnants of hurricane Ida...
disaster collage
Read article: Prepare to protect the people you love
Prepare to protect the people you love
“In case of emergency” is a phrase that we’re all familiar with. So familiar, in fact, that we sometimes just ignore it. That “emergency” seems so...
Read article: Tornadoes may be moving to a town near you
Tornadoes may be moving to a town near you
During a storm, no one likes to hear the sound of the community tornado siren or weather alert going off. Everyone living in the Midwest has...
Storm Damaged Tree
Read article: Dealing with storm damaged trees and preparing for the next disaster
Dealing with storm damaged trees and preparing for the next disaster
It is heartbreaking to see the results of natural disasters, when it affects entire communities or when the storm hits home. As a horticulture...

News Releases

Disaster preparedness kit
Preparing youth is one strategy for community disaster preparedness
URBANA, Ill. – Fueled in part by the public’s recent interest in the coronavirus (COVID-19), disaster preparedness is a topic that is top-of-mind for many people these days. As communities grapple with questions about how to prepare for and respond to a public health crisis, many leaders and...
Be prepared when disaster strikes
URBANA, Ill. – Disasters don't operate on a schedule, but pre-planning can help families and communities prepare for unexpected emergencies. A series of five workshops by University of Illinois Extension will outline proactive steps to take before,...