27-03-2025
Children's Home Association of Illinois earns StormReady status
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — On a fittingly overcast Thursday afternoon, the Children's Home Association of Illinois received a StormReady certification by the National Weather Service.
John Lundy, safety coordinator for the Children's Home, has put in lots of work and credits his staff for their support to create a place that can weather any storm.
'We want to make it a safe environment for our clients, for our students, for our staff, any visitors that come in during the event of severe weather that they would have a safe place to go,' he said. 'That has been looked over by the National Weather Service, by the meteorologists there.'
To get this honor, Children's Home had to get working weather radios and a point of warning that is able to go through their phones.
Ed Shimon, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service, handed Lundy a plaque of recognition, and then posed for a photo with Lundy, who held a sign that said 'We are StormReady.'
Lundy's two daughters then walked up to the front of the Children's Home conference room and presented their dad with a sign that said 'Congrats Agent Lundy,' — John's nickname.
The poster was decorated with pictures of Lundy and his daughters glued to the poster.
'I hope this is a catalyst for other organizations thinking about StormReady,' Shimon said. 'It's worth the effort and the community benefits, not only the organization, but the community as a whole benefit from the actions that you take to protect yourself and become StormReady.'
When asked if the safety department of the Children's Home had a slogan, Lundy said, 'Stay vigilant, stay aware and always be prepared.'
In a Facebook post, Children's Home Association of Illinois said, 'We are thrilled to be the 4th organization in the city of Peoria and Peoria County taking action to keep our employees, clients, and visitors safe, especially during Severe Weather Preparedness Month.'
Weather Forecast: Warming things up with storm chances
On the National Weather Service's website, it describes the weather preparedness program by saying, 'The StormReady program helps arm America's communities with the communication and safety skills needed to save lives and property–before, during and after the event.'
To become StormReady, you have to apply. The guidelines to be certified on the NWS website are as follows:
'Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center. Have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts and to alert the public. Create a system that monitors weather conditions locally. Promote the importance of public readiness through community seminars. Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises.'
To find how to apply to be StormReady, click here.
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