Illinois weather can be great, horrible, or both all in the span of 5 minutes. The Illinois Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service are asking Illinoisans to make sure they are prepared for severe weather, as this week marks severe weather preparedness week. IEMA Spokesperson Kevin Sur says that being aware of where you live can be paramount to what you need to prepare yourself.

Sur says you should also know the difference between warnings, watches, and advisories.

Illinoisans are encouraged to update the family communications plan, make a severe weather preparedness plan, build an emergency preparedness kit, identify your safe place to go during a storm, and as mentioned earlier know the differences between the warnings. 

Watches can mean that severe weather or flooding might develop near your area over the next several hours.  A warning means that you should take action immediately. Having a weather radio can also be a huge help, along with a free mobile app from FEMA that offers fast and reliable weather alerts from the National Weather Service.

For more information visit IEMA on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.