In like a lion? Du Quoin and Perry County make severe weather top-of-mind March 1-7

The Perry County Emergency Management Agency and City of Du Quoin Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, in conjunction with the National Weather Service-Paducah, are announcing that March 1 -March 7 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in Illinois.

During Severe Weather Preparedness Week emergency managers want to remind the public to take the time to educate themselves as to the types of threats associated with severe weather, as well as necessary planning that will help during severe weather at home, work or school. The Perry County area normally experiences various severe weather throughout the year, including thunderstorm winds, torrential rains, and hail. Additionally, the threat of tornadoes is always a concern during the spring storm season.

"Preparedness is key for any type of threat," stated Perry County EMA Coordinator David Searby Jr. "These preparedness campaigns are aimed at highlighting specific threats, in this case severe weather, and getting information to the public on how to plan and react to these types of threats," Searby added. Searby also stated that a weather alert radio is one of the best tools a person can have to get real-time warnings and information regarding severe weather.

Perry County EMA and Du Quoin ESDA personnel monitor weather conditions during severe weather season and activate as necessary to observe and report immediate dangers associated with the storms and coordinate with other public safety agencies to respond as needed following a storm, etc.

For a severe weather preparedness guide from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, please go to: http://www.illinois.gov/iema/Preparedness/Documents/severeweatherpreparedness.pdf.