Officials at the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency are busy preparing for possible severe weather.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Ill. (WSIL)-- Officials at the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency are busy preparing for possible severe weather.聽
Williamson County EMA director Brian Burgess says on days with clear weather, that is when people should come up with emergency plans.
鈥淒on't wait for the warning because when the warning happens is when you need to take action,鈥� Burgess said.
Burgesses says they have been monitoring for severe weather over the weekend. He says it has the potential to be dangerous.
鈥淲hat we know that we can expect at this point, for sure, regionwide, is going to be 35 to 45 mile-an-hour wind gusts ahead of the storm,鈥� Burgess says.
He says they have been working with other agencies and first responders to be ready to serve the communities.
鈥淪o the National Weather Service has been very active in pushing out information to the local emergency managers,鈥� Burgess says. 鈥淲e make sure that we pass that on to our local first responders, and then we also push that information out via our social media platforms to try to keep the general public informed.鈥�
Earlier on Thursday, the Red Cross was also at the Williamson County EMA Office.
Mary Pantle is the Community Disaster Program Manager for the South and West Central chapter of the Red Cross. She says she is checking inventory and seeing what might be needed.
鈥淲e ultimately want to make sure that the community has the support, the resources that they need. This is going to be a very big storm. It's anticipated to cover pretty much the entire state. So we want to make sure that whether you are down here in Williamson County or anywhere up north, the Red Cross is present,鈥� Pantle said.
Pantle says for severe聽weather聽they need volunteers to be able to help out in the community. But Pantle says gathering resources before emergencies is important. Burgess says emergency kits are a part of being prepared.
鈥淵our necessary medications. Make sure you have a couple of days worth of food for the family and your home and your pets,鈥� Burgess says. 鈥淢ake sure that you've checked your weather radio. Make sure you've checked the batteries.鈥�
He also says it鈥檚 important to know where you're going in case of strong winds and possible tornadoes.
鈥淜now where that safe space is. If you don't have a basement, that's fine. Look for the most interior room in your home. One away from any exterior doors and windows,鈥� Burgess says. 鈥淚f you know somebody who has a basement or a storm shelter, try to make those connections today so that when the sky's turned dark, you already know where you're going.鈥�
Burgess says they will continue to monitor the models and alert the public of what they need to know.
