The Office of Emergency Management and Communications is monitoring in coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS) and City agencies, the severe weather threat for today and this evening. Fast moving storms will be going through the Chicago area with the potential to produce tornados, destructive winds (up to 75mph) and hail. According to the National Weather Service, “this is relatively rare, significant severe weather threat for our area.” It's crucial to stay informed and have plans in place.

What to Expect
• Two rounds beginning this afternoon (2-6pm) and another this evening (6-11pm).
• A Tornado threat will exist across the entire area and will increase as we go into the evening.
• Due to the fast speed of the two systems, there may be less time to act. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warning alerts. Stay aware and be prepared to seek shelter.
• Rapidly changing weather conditions, particularly this evening.
• Damaging hail.
• Strong, gusty winds of 45mph or more.
• Possible flash flooding.

Weather Safety:
• Tornado: Seek shelter indoors to inner space – know where you will be and where you can go; Being in a vehicle during a tornado is not safe; if unable to get to shelter, either get down in your car and cover your head or abandon your car and seek shelter in a low lying area such as a ditch or ravine.
o Tornado Watch: Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible in the area.
o Tornado Warning: Tornado is imminent. Seek shelter immediately.
• Thunderstorms: If outside during a thunderstorm, go inside a sturdy building. Taking shelter under a tree can be deadly – the tree may fall on you, or you may be at greater risk of getting struck by lightning.
• Flooding: Avoid flood waters; Do NOT drive through flooded roadways or viaducts as water may be deeper than it appears and can hide hazards such as sharp objects.
• Lightning: When you hear thunder, immediately move to an indoor shelter; it is not safe outdoors during lightning. Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity; Stay away from windows when indoors during lightning.

Chicago OEMC App
Residents are encouraged to download the new Chicago OEMC App as a public safety tool providing public safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, parade day weather information and more in the palm of your hand. The App provides access to current weather conditions, forecasts, live weather radar and more from the National Weather Service in Chicago. You can download it through the Apple App and Google Play stores. To immediately download, click HERE or visit the website Chicago.gov/oemc.

Emergency Alerts for Residents and Businesses
OEMC will monitor the weather throughout the day and overnight and will issue any emergency alerts and notifications as necessary. To receive alerts and notifications from OEMC to keep residents and businesses up to date on weather and traffic conditions as well as emergencies:
• Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at notifychicago.org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit our website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook, Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911) using the hashtags #ChicagoOEMC #Smart911 #Chicago911 #BeSafeChicago.

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