🔴 TNW NEWSROOM BREAKING RELEASE
Friday, September 19, 2025
From the Illinois Emergency Management Agency & Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS)
Illinois Marks National Preparedness Month as Severe Weather Strikes Hard in 2025
Aurora, IL – Illinois has already endured 115 tornadoes this year, the highest number reported by any state in 2025. Communities across Illinois have also faced repeated rounds of damaging straight-line winds and flooding.
With September recognized as National Preparedness Month, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) is urging all residents to review their disaster readiness plans before the next round of storms.
“Severe weather can strike with little warning, and the best defense is being ready before it happens,” said IEMA-OHS Acting Director Theodore (Ted) Berger. “The national ‘preparedness starts at home’ campaign reminds us that we each have a role to play by mapping out a plan and reviewing insurance coverage.”
Be Prepared – Resources for Families & Communities
🏠 Emergency Kits for Home & Vehicle: Go Bag Guide
📞 Family Communications Plan: Printable Template
🐾 Pet Preparedness Kit: Animal Safety Guide
💻 Digital & Cyber Safety: Ready.gov Cybersecurity
Why It Matters
“Spending just a small amount of time on preparedness can save you significant costs and frustration when disaster strikes,” Berger added. “Something as simple as checking with your insurance agency about flood coverage can give you peace of mind. Too often, people don’t discover a gap in insurance until it’s too late.”
Stay Connected
For more information:
🌐 Ready.Illinois.gov
📲 IEMA-OHS Social Media: X/Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube
TNW Weather will continue to deliver daily forecasts, severe weather alerts, and preparedness updates for Aurora and the entire stat