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City of Galesburg
55 W. Tompkins Street
P.O. Box 1387
Galesburg, IL 61402-1387
309/343-4181
Weather Emergencies
National Weather Service warning areas and National FIPS Codes.
WINTER SEVERE WEATHER
Winter storms are dangerous! Nationwide, there are an average of 79 fatalities
directly attributable to winter weather -- more than those due to tornadoes
or hurricanes. .
Know the terms relating to winter storms and extreme cold--
Winter Storm Watch: Severe winter weather such as heavy snow or ice is possible in the next day or two. At home, check supplies of food and fuel. For the car, check fluid levels and keep the gas tank full.
Winter Storm Warning: Severe winter weather conditions are occurring, imminent or highly likely. Stay indoors and avoid travel. Warnings may be issued for these specific hazards--
Heavy Snow Warning: Anticipated snowfall of 6 inches or more.
Ice Storm Warning: Heavy accumulations of ice create extremely dangerous travel and damage trees and power lines.
Blizzard Warning: Snow and winds anticipated in excess of 35 mph will combine to produce severe blowing and drifting snow and may reduce visibility to less than ¼ mile. This type of storm may also bring with it life-threatening wind chill.
Wind Chill Warning: Life-threatening wind chill of 50 degrees below zero or colder.
Winter Weather Advisory: Weather conditions could cause significant inconvenience and may become hazardous especially to motorists. Travel with caution. Advisories are issued for the following specific events--
Snow Advisory: Anticipated snowfall of 2 to 5 inches
Freezing Rain or Sleet Advisory: Anticipated light accumulations of ice.
Blowing/Drifting Snow Advisory: Poor visibility and drifting snow on roads.
Wind Chill Advisory: Dangerous wind chills expected of 30 to 50 degrees below zero.
Wind Chill Factor: Wind chill is an apparent temperature based on the rate
of heat loss from exposed skin caused by the combined effects of cold temperatures
and strong wind.
Gather emergency supplies for work or home-
1. A battery-type NOAA Weather Radio and a battery powered commercial radio and extra batteries. These may be your only links to the outside work if electrical service is interrupted.
2. Foods that do not require cooking or refrigeration are best. Include high-energy foods such as dried fruit and candy.
3. Extra medications and special items for babies, the disabled, or elderly.
4. Extra water in clean containers.
5. Rock salt to melt ice on walkways and sand to improve traction.
6. Flashlights and extra batteries. Do not use candles. Candles can be
a fire hazard.
Prepare for possible isolation in your home-
1. Make sure you have sufficient heating fuel. After a severe winter storm regular fuel carriers may not reach you for days.
2. Have emergency heating equipment (fireplaces, wood burning stoves,
or space heaters) and ample fuel so you can keep at least one room of your
house warm enough to be livable. If your furnace is controlled by a thermostat
and your electricity is cut off by a storm, you will need emergency heat.
Prepare your vehicle for the winter-
Winterize your vehicle following the suggested maintenance schedule included in the owner’s manual or have your vehicle serviced by a reputable dealer, garage or mechanic.
Also:
The Illinois Department of Transportation has several resources available if you plan to travel during the winter months:
Road Condition Report Hotline: 1-800-452-4368
Online Winter Road Conditions Map (for travel on Interstates in Illinois)
www.icepack.org
Illinois Tollway System Conditions: 1-800-865-5394
SPRING AND SUMMER
SEVERE WEATHER AND WEATHER WARNING SYSTEMS
Disasters created by severe weather including severe thunderstorms and tornadoes
in early spring and summer are a common threat to the City of Galesburg.
The most active months for these storms are April, May, and June. The most
active time of day for these storms is between the hours of 3:00 P.M. and
9:00 P.M.
WEATHERSPOTTERS
Weatherspotter volunteers are trained by the National Weather Service. These volunteers are organized and on-call to observe developing weather patterns and report conditions and sightings to the Public Safety Building's E-911 Communications Center.
Weatherspotters for the City include police officers, firefighters and HAM radio operators.
The Public Safety Building E-911 Communications Center has a direct radio
link to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, Illinois. This link provides
a severe weather information exchange between the City and the National
Weather Service.
DEFINITIONS
Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Severe thunderstorms are possible. Monitor television or radio and be prepared to take shelter.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe thunderstorms are occurring. Take shelter, turn on a battery-operated radio or television and wait for an "all clear" announcement by authorities on radio or television.
Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible. Monitor television or radio and be prepared to take shelter. If you see any revolving funnel-shaped clouds, report them immediately by telephone to your local law enforcement agency. If you live in a mobile home, this is the time to move to a more substantial structure.
Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
Take shelter, turn on a battery-operated radio or television and wait for
the "all clear" announcement by authorities on the radio or television.
ACTIONS TO TAKE WHEN A TORNADO WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED
At home: Go at once to your predetermined shelter (basement or lowest level of the building). Stay there until the danger has passed. If you have no basement, go to an inner hallway, a closet or a bathroom. Stay away from windows, outside doors, and corners. If you live in a mobile home seek shelter elsewhere, if none is available seek shelter in a low-lying area.
At work, school, hospital, factory or shopping center: Go to the basement or to an inside hallway at the lowest level. Avoid cafeterias, gymnasiums, large hallways or auditoriums. Stay away from windows.
Outdoors: If possible, get into a substantial building. If that is not available, lie in a ditch, culvert, or low-lying area until the storm has passed.
In a vehicle: Never try to outrun a tornado. Tornadoes change directions very quickly. Get out of your vehicle and find a low-lying area.
For more information please contact the Knox County Emergency Management
Agency at 309-345-3756, or check out the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's
website at www.state.il.us/iema.
OUTDOOR WEATHER WARNING SIRENS
The City has 12 outdoor warning sirens distributed throughout the City. These sirens are activated by the Public Safety Building E-911 Communications Center when a weatherspotter confirms a tornado or the Lincoln (IL) National Weather Service requests activation based on Doppler radar data.
The sirens are only activated to warn residents of tornadoes, they are not activated to signal an "all clear." The National Weather Service cancels warnings and cancellation can be verified by listing to a battery-powered radio.
Galesburg's outdoor warning sirens are not designed to be heard in buildings. They are intended to warn those residents who are outdoors away from radios and televisions.
WEATHER ALERT RADIOS
Weather radios are a good source for severe weather information. Two types of radios are available, a standard weather radio or digital model. The standard weather radio will sound an alarm for any and all weather alerts within the Lincoln National Weather Service area. The digital weather radio can be programmed to sound an alert for specific geographic areas with "FIPS" codes.
WEATHER WARNING SIREN AND RADIO TESTING
All 12 weather warning sirens are activated for storm warnings and monthly testing.
The sirens are activated for this test the first Tuesday of every month at 10:00 a.m..
The Lincoln National Weather Service tests weather radios at 11:00 a.m.
on the first Wednesday of every month.
Outdoor Weather Warning Sirens
in the City of Galesburg |
|
| Carl Sandburg Junior College 2232 South Lake Storey Road |
Churchill Junior High School 905 Maple Avenue |
| Cooke Elementary School 849 South Henderson Street |
Costa Elementary School 2726 Costa Drive |
| Galesburg Senior High School 1135 West Fremont Street |
King Elementary School 1018 South Farnham Street |
| L.T. Stone Elementary School 1072 West North Street |
Nielson School 547 North Farnham Street |
| Park Plaza 100 Block East Main Street |
Rte. 41 & Monmouth Blvd. Industrial Area |
| Silas Willard Elementary School 495 East Fremont Street |
Steel Elementary School 1480 West Main Street |
| FIPS codes for
digital weather radios are: |
Standard weather radio frequencies
for weather information in this area are: |
||
| Knox County | 017095 | WXH-71 Moline | 162.475 MHz |
| Henry County | 017073 | WXJ-73 Peoria | 162.550 MHz |
| Fulton County | 017057 | KZZ-66 Galesburg | 162.400 MHz |
| Mercer County | 017131 | ||
| Peoria County | 017143 | ||
| Stark County | 017175 | ||
| Warren County | 017187 | ||