Public Information Statement

Public Information Statement
Statement as of 9:00 AM CST on March 10, 2012

...Use NOAA Weather Radio all hazards and National Weather
Service web pages for the latest severe weather information...

Today...a better understanding of tornadoes...new technology such
as Doppler radar...faster communications...and better Skywarn
spotting networks...allow meteorologists to provide more accurate
and timely warnings for destructive tornadoes and severe storms.
But in order for the warnings to be effective...people must receive
the warnings in a timely manner and take proper actions to protect
themselves.

The best way to receive severe weather watches and warnings is
with a tone alert NOAA Weather Radio. A weather radio will give you
severe weather information direct from your local National Weather
Service office. Watches and warnings are preceded by a tone alert
that can automatically activate your radio and get your attention
with a high pitched alarm. Same equipped radios can be programmed to
only alert you to watches and warnings for a specific County or
group of counties.

In addition...the radios can alert you to non weather emergencies
such as a hazardous materials spill or child abduction.

Weather radios can be purchased at many electronics and department
stores for 30 to 80 dollars. They are highly recommended for homes...
schools...hospitals...nursing homes...day care centers...and
businesses. You should also take one along when boating or camping.

Remember...sirens are outdoor warning systems and should not be your
primary method of receiving tornado warnings.

You can get up to the minute forecasts...watches...warnings...storm
reports...radar images...satellite pictures...climate data...severe
weather safety information...and more from the National Weather
Service online at weather.Gov. You can also view warnings
graphically to determine if you are in the path of the warned storm.

For northeast Illinois go to weather.Gov/Chicago
for northwest Illinois go to weather.Gov/quadcities
for central Illinois go to weather.Gov/Lincoln
for southwest Illinois go to weather.Gov/stlouis
for far south Illinois go to weather.Gov/Paducah

Although not directly provided by National Weather Service...many
vendors provide cell phone Apps that can send a watch or warning to
your phone as a text message.