National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

 
Statewide Severe Weather Preparedness/Awareness Weeks are an opportunity to increase awareness of and response to severe weather hazards.  They are scheduled throughout the spring, targeting a time before the spring severe weather "season" typically begins in that state. Most states also conduct a tornado drill during their awareness week, when test tornado warnings are issued at a predetermined time.  Please mark your calendar and plan to participate in the drill for your local area, as this is an opportunity to test your communication methods as if it were a real situation.

 
Official Severe Weather Preparedness Dates (Updated for 2024)
 
Illinois Missouri Iowa

Mar. 4-8, 2024

Required Weekly Test (RWT) Drill
Wednesday, Mar. 6 at 11 AM

Mar. 4-8, 2024

Required Weekly Test (RWT) Drill
Wednesday, Mar. 6 at 11 AM

 

Mar. 25-29, 2024

Required Weekly Test (RWT) Drill
Wednesday, Mar. 27 at 10 AM

 

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Daily Topics

Monday: Have a Plan
Tuesday: Lightning  
Wednesday: Tornadoes
Thursday: Wind and Hail 
Friday:  Flooding

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Daily Topics

Monday: Receiving Alerts/Forecast Information
Tuesday: Lightning  
Wednesday: Tornadoes
Thursday: Wind and Hail 
Friday:  Flooding

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Daily Topics

Monday: Lightning
Tuesday: Tornadoes
Wednesday: Preparedness
Thursday: Severe Thunderstorms
Friday: Flash Floods

The Bottom Line: 

Living in the most severe weather prone country in the world, 
your best defense is to be both prepared and informed

Know the local warning systems.  
Invest in a NOAA Weather Radio.  
Stay informed.  
Take action – indoors or out!




Severe Weather Social Media Graphics

Look for these and other messages on our Facebook and Twitter accounts, then "Share"/"Retweet"!

  Click on the titles for a direct link to the corresponding Facebook post.  

 
Watch v. Warning Severe Thunderstorm WATCH Tornado WATCH Tornado Watch v. Warning
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 Hazards Outlooks Severe Thunderstorm WARNING  Tornado WARNING
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Take Shelter Weather Radio Cell Phone Alerts Severe Weather Plan
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  Check Weather.gov Daily  
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Related Topics
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Severe Weather Climatology
(Applies to National Weather Service Quad Cities IA/IL County Warning Area)
Damaging Wind
(1,561 Reports from 1994-2006)
 
Large Hail
(1,346 Reports from 1994-2006)
 
Hourly Monthly Hourly Monthly
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Tornadoes
[ 701 Reports from 1950-2006, 678 Ranked (F0=292, F1=205, F2=122, F3=49, F4=10, F5=0), Avg. per year=12.5 ]
 
F-Scale Hourly Monthly Decadal
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Statewide Winter Weather Preparedness activities provide a focused opportunity to increase awareness of and response to winter weather hazards.   Click here for additional winter storm safety resources.  


Official Winter Weather Awareness Dates (Updated for 2024)
 
Iowa Missouri Illinois

November 7, 2024

November 4-8, 2024

November 4-8, 2024



Winter Weather Social Media Graphics

Look for these and other messages on our Facebook and Twitter accounts, then "Share"/"Retweet"!

Left click to enlarge, right click and hit "save image as..." to download.

 
Winter Safety Campaign
 
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First Snow Dense Fog Sun Glare Rain with Temps ~32°
       
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Snow Squalls Freezing Drizzle Flash Freeze Rain After a Long Dry Stretch
       
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What's a Blizzard? Science of Snowflakes Winter Driving What Causes Winter?
       
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Winter and Pets Science of Wind Chill Winter Injuries and Fatalities Winter Precipitation
       
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Snow Water Cycle Hypothermia Dressing for the Cold Cold Weather
       
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Ice Storms Winter Storm Advisory,
Watch, and Warning
Black Ice  
       

 

       
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Driving in Snow #1 Driving in Snow #2 Snow Shoveling Risk Pets and Cold
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Warning Signs of Hypothermia Driving in Snow #3 Dressing for Cold Driving Tips #1
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Winter Storm Products #1 Winter Precipitation Types    
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Where to Find Road Condtions   5 Tips for Shoveling Snow Safely What is Freezing Rain?
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5 Facts of Winter Forecasts Driving Tips #2 Wind Chill Chart Sending Reports to the NWS
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Cold Weather Safety in Home Cold Weather Safety in Car Winter Storm Checklist Car Supplies Checklist
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Colorado Low Facts Alberta Clipper Facts Ice Facts Winter Flooding
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What Causes Winter? Types of Winter Hazards Ice on Bridges Black Ice
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Cold Weather Safety Tips Winter Driving Fire Safety Carbon Monoxide
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Outdoor Winter Safety Winter Storm Advertisement 6 Tips to Properly Measure Snow NWS Quad Cities Winter Headlines
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  Average First Snow Average Annual Snowfall  
  


Related Topics

Flood Safety Awareness activities strive to increase awareness of and response to flooding.  Whether it be river flooding or flash flooding, knowing what to do can mean the difference between life and death.

Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away a small car, while 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.


 
Official Flood Safety Awareness Dates
 
Illinois Iowa Missouri
None
(see: severe weather week)

 

None
(see: severe weather week)

None
(see: severe weather week)


The Bottom Line: 

Knowledge is Power!

Have a plan in place before a flood occurs.

Invest in a NOAA Weather Radio.
S
tay informed.

NEVER drive, walk, or swim into flood waters!
Turn Around!  -  Don't Drown!


 

Flood Safety Social Media Graphics

Look for these and other messages on our Facebook and Twitter accounts, then "Share"/"Retweet"!



  Click on the titles for a direct link to the corresponding Facebook post.  
 

How Deep Really is the Water?

Don't Underestimate the Power of Water! Never Drive Through Flood Waters! Never Drive Into Flood Waters! Never Drive Around Barricades!
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Never Walk Into Flood Waters!

Rescuers and Flood Waters

Flash Flooding Can Happen in a Flash!

Mud Slide Risks with Flash Flooding
Your State
{Interactive Map}
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Flood Watch Flood Warning Prepare Prepare Make a Communications Plan!
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Related Topics
 

U.S. Flood Fatality Statistics
(2013-2015*)
 
1986-8/26/2015
  • Through 8/26/15, there have been 86 flood related fatalities
     
  • Just over 2/3 (59) of the fatalities were male
     
  • Age was not a factor
     
  • 56 fatalities occurred in Texas and Oklahoma
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Activity
Month
Age 
Gender
  • Driving - 45
  • Walking/Hiking - 16
  • Sheltering - 9
  • Boating - 7
  • Fell in - 1
  • Working - 0
  • Other - 8
  • Jan - 3
  • Feb - 2
  • Mar - 11
  • Apr - 8
  • May - 51
  • Jun - 11
  • Jul - 0
  • Aug - 0
  • Sep - NA
  • Oct - NA
  • Nov - NA
  • Dec - NA
  • 0-9 - 8
  • 10-19 - 7
  • 20-29 - 5
  • 30-39 - 11
  • 40-49 - 11
  • 50-59 - 8
  • 60-69 - 14
  • 70-79 - 8
  • 80-89 - 6
  • 90+ - 0
  • Male - 59
  • Female - 27


2014 - 41
  • Roughly 2/3 of deaths were male
     
  • Driving into flood waters continues to be the leading activity
     
  • Half of the fatalities were west of the Mississippi River; half east.
     
  • Quiet tropical season led to fewer deaths.
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Activity Month Age Gender
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2013 - 84
  • 61% of deaths were male
     
  • Driving - the leading activity
     
  • IA, IL, & MO all reported a flood-related fatality
     
  • 1/3 of the fatalities were in May
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Activity Month Age Gender
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HEAT Safety Awareness activities are an opportunity to increase awareness of and response to excessive heat.  


On average, heat is the leading cause of weather related fatalities.  Heat waves have the potential to cover a large area, exposing a high number of people to a hazardous combination of heat and humidity, which can be very taxing on the body.

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Heat Safety

Official Heat Safety Awareness Dates (2024)
 
Iowa Missouri Illinois

Heat Awareness Day

June 6, 2024


 

None

 

None



 

The Bottom Line: 

Knowledge is Power!

Have a plan in place before excessive heat settles in!

If possible, stay inside an air-conditioned place.

If you must be outside, take frequent breaks in the shade.  
Drink plenty of water and don't forget to apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.

Never leave a child, pet, or disabled adult in parked vehicles!


 

Heat Safety Social Media Graphics

Look for these and other messages on our Facebook and Twitter accounts, then "Share"/"Retweet"!

 
Heat Wave Children & Heat Working Outdoors in Heat
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Dress for the Heat Auto Safety
NA NA
     
Sunburn Safety Heat Symptoms Heat Index Chart
NA NA NA
     
Pet Safety Heat Wave Heat Safety Infographic
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Playing Outside Working Outside Staying Safe in the Heat
NA NA NA
     
4 Questions before working outdoors Protect Yourself Excessive Heat
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Record Highs by State Urban Heat Island  
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Related Topics

Lightning Awareness

 

Lightning Facts

  • Lightning strikes the United States about 25 million times a year.
  • Although most lightning occurs in the summer, people can be struck at any time of year.
  • Over the past 30 years, lightning has killed an average of 47 people in the United States yearly, with over 1,000 more injured.
  • Since 2008, lightning has killed 3 people in Iowa, 4 in Illinois, and 11 in Missouri.
    • ​Missouri ranks 7th, Illinois ranks 24th, and Iowa ranks 27th.
  • On average, around 64% of lightning fatalities occur during leisurely activities, with around 1/3 of deaths occurring on the water.
  • The vast majority of lightning victims are male (based on 376 cases between 2006 and 2017, 80% of victims were male and 20% were female).

 

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!


 

Official Lightning Safety Awareness Dates 

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week

TBD

National Lightning Safety Awareness Week was started in 2001 in an effort to bring awareness and education about lightning and its potential. Since then, lightning fatalities have been decreasing on average each year. 

Illinois Missouri Iowa

None

TBD
(Summer Weather Safety Week)

None



Look for these and other messages on our Facebook and Twitter accounts, then "Share" / "Retweet".
 
 
When Thunder Roars,
Go Indoors!
Outdoor Safety
Organizations/Large Venues
Safety
Tips
Frequently
Asked Questions
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