News Flash

Area Under Extreme Heat Watch

• Waste Management (WM) has been given permission to begin collection early – please have containers at curb before 6 a.m. for the week of July 21.
• Heat Watch: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Extreme Heat Watch starting the morning of Wednesday, July 23. Heat index values are expected to reach as high as 115.  Learn about NWS Heat Watches and Heat Warnings.
• Hawthorn Mall has again offered to be a local cooling station during their regular business hours.
• Lake County Cooling Stations are located throughout the county. Check the Lake County Cooling Stations locator map for information. It is suggested you call each location before visiting to ensure they are operational. 

Please Be Proactive in Preparing for Severe Weather!

• Sign up for Blackboard Connect Emergency Notifications – This Village-provided emergency message system is used for messages of high urgency – road closures, shelter-in-place messages, etc. You must opt in by providing your phone/text numbers and/or email addresses. A physical address is also used to route messages to appropriate neighborhoods. Sign up through the Blackboard Connect webpage (https://vernonhills.bbcportal.com/Entry).
• Be aware of changing weather – Subscribe to a severe weather app, often provided at no charge by local news outlets. Set it to receive emergency notifications.
• Have a plan and communicate it with your family – Know what to do, where to go, and how to connect with each other. Suggestions follow.

During Severe Weather

• GET IN – If you are outside, get inside. If you're already inside, get as far into the middle of the building as possible.
• GET DOWN – Get underground if possible. If you cannot, go to the lowest floor possible.
• COVER UP – Flying and falling debris are a storm's number one killer. Use pillows, blankets, coats, helmets, etc. to cover up and protect your head and body from flying debris.
• More info on the National Weather Service Severe Weather Safety Guidelines webpage

More Resources

• National Weather Service – Weather forecasts, safety suggestions, educational resources and more – https://www.weather.gov
• Ready.gov – Preparing for and recovering from a variety of threats, including actions to take in the face of tornadoes and severe weather. Official website of the US Department of Homeland Security – https://www.ready.gov
• Severe Weather Preparedness Guide – Provided by the State of Illinois Emergency Management Agency – Link to Guide 
• Severe Weather Plan Suggestions – 3 Steps for Preparedness
• Warning Sirens – Check the information sheet for what the outdoor waring sirens and messages mean. Note that outdoor warning sirens/messages are tested each Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.