Recent severe weather impacted areas not very far from Plainfield and the Plainfield Fire Protection District encourages everyone to review their safety plan in preparation for summer storms. Since tornados and severe weather cannot be prevented it is best to be prepared for severe weather by being informed and having a plan. Have multiple ways you can be notified in the event of severe weather including wireless alerts to your cell phone, internet alerts, local radio and television alerts, NOAA weather radios and the outside warning sirens for people outdoors. Know where you should go for shelter when you’re at home, school or work. Choose your shelter in a small interior room or interior hallway, under a stairwell or heavy piece of furniture, in the basement or the lowest level, away from windows. Do not seek shelter inside open areas like large stores, gymnasiums and auditoriums. Leave mobile homes and vehicles and seek shelter in a substantial building. Never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle and don’t hide under an overpass. As a last resort, lie flat in a ditch.

Severe storms include lightning. When thunder roars, go indoors! If you’re caught outdoors during a thunderstorm do not stand next to trees or power poles. Get out of the water if you’re boating or swimming. Leave open areas and fields like golf courses, ball fields or farm fields. Seek shelter inside a building or hard top vehicle. Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activities.

Floods and flash floods are the most deadly form of severe weather nationwide. Half of all flash flood related deaths happen in vehicles. Don’t drown, turn around! Never drive through flood water. Seek shelter on higher ground if you’re in an area where a flash flood warning is issued.

With planning and preparedness you can be ready for severe weather. For more information please visit the National Weather Services’s Severe Weather Page at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/severeweather/index.shtml or call the Plainfield Fire Protection District at 815-436-5335 ext. 7314