Tornadoes, lightning, floods, rip currents and early season heat — spring is three months of danger that can imperil the unprepared. It roars in like a lion, rampaging across the United States — and Kane County, IL, in particular — throughout March, April and May.

It’s true, we don’t have to worry too much about tsunamis here, but spring hazards include all kinds of severe weather. For that reason, the week of Feb. 28 to March 6, 2016, is dubbed Illinois Severe Weather Preparedness Week. You can read more about it on this page of the Kane County Health Department website

On April 9 of last year, Kane County saw some very severe weather. At least two tornadoes struck nearby, one that touched down near Rochelle, and one that took the lives of two people in nearby Fairdale in DeKalb County. Kane County’s Office of Emergency Management was closely involved in the emergency and relief efforts in Fairdale.

A YouTube video of the Rochelle event is embedded below:

Nobody knows the hazards of this dynamic season more than the Kane County’s Office of Emergency Management and the NOAA’s National Weather Service.

This week, the NOAA and Kane OEM are asking that you get weather-ready for spring with just three simple steps:

1. Know Your Risk

Check weather.gov every morning. It is a simple action that will ensure that you’re ready for the day’s weather. Don’t leave home without knowing the forecast.

2. Take Action!

Assemble an emergency supplies kit with 72 hours worth of food and water. In an emergency (such as after a tornado or some other hazard event), you may be stuck at home without electricity for three days or more. Make sure that you’re prepared. Also, ensure that everyone in your life knows how to stay in touch with an emergency communication plan. This plan lists meeting places and alternate ways of communicating in case of emergency.

3. Be A Force of Nature

Inspire others by sharing your weather-ready story on social media with the hashtag #SpringSafety. It can be a simple as posting a photo of your emergency supplies kit or letting your friends know how to reach you during an emergency. Together, we can build a Weather-Ready Nation, one that is ready for any extreme weather, water, or climate event.

Spring Hazards

You are not powerless in the face of extreme weather and water events. Learn about the hazards most common to spring — and some that are threats year-round — and what you can do about them.

• Severe Weather/Tornadoes
• Floods
• Lightning
• Tsunamis
• Rip Currents/Beach Hazards
• Heat

SOURCE: NOAA website and news release