Residents around Bloomington-Normal have the opportunity to learn how to protect themselves and their family members from dangerous weather conditions.

The campaign will keep residents prepared with a three-day supply kit for any weather emergency and will help community members be informed.

To learn about the three-day kit, locals can visit multiple websites, including americanredcross.org, ready.illinois.gov and mcleancountyil.gov, Curtis Hawk, director of the Emergency Management Agency for McLean County, explained.

“[We go out and talk to groups about] how to make a family plan, how to plan for their pets, evacuation routes, if they need to be informed, locate your shelters,” Hawk said. 

“And then we give them information on how to listen to the emergency information.”

Residents are encouraged to become involved by volunteering and training with the Red Cross, Hawk added.

It is also encouraged to know how much water to have on hand and have a battery powered crank radio, he said.

“We never know what tomorrow will bring or what kind of event could occur, so it’s always better to be prepared, because if you keep putting it off thinking, ‘well I’m getting to this next month,’ the event could happen tomorrow,” Hawk explained.

Hawk encourages people to text, rather than call, in case phone calls drop out. It is also better to have an immediate contact outside of town for family members to stay connected and know what is going on.

“It’s like having insurance on your car; you need to have insurance before you drive it,” Hawk said. “This is insurance for your family; be ready and be prepared.”

For more information, call (309) 888-5020 or visit 104 W. Front St., Bloomington.