Effingham County Emergency Management Agency - IL

06/02/2026

Build a Kit for Your Pet

Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Have two kits, one larger kit if you are sheltering in place and one lightweight version for if you need to evacuate. Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.

Here are some items you may want to include in an emergency kit for your pet:

Food. Keep several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container.

Water. Store a water bowl and several days’ supply of water.

Medicine. Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.

First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs.

Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag. Have copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents in a waterproof container and available electronically.

Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet.
Grooming items. Pet shampoo, conditioner and other items, in case your pet needs some cleaning up.

Sanitation needs. Include pet litter and litter box (if appropriate), newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.

A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.

Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.
https://www.ready.gov/pets

06/01/2026

Don't Forget to Make a Plan for your Pets!

If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency. If local officials ask you to evacuate, that means your pet should evacuate too. If you leave your pets behind, they may end up lost, injured or worse.

Things to include in your plan:
Have an evacuation plan for your pet. Many public shelters and hotels do not allow pets inside. Know a safe place where you can take your pets before disasters and emergencies happen.

Develop a buddy system. Plan with neighbors, friends or relatives to make sure that someone is available to care for or evacuate your pets if you are unable to do so.

Have your pet microchipped. Make sure to keep your address and phone number up-to-date and include contact information for an emergency contact outside of your immediate area.

https://www.ready.gov/pets

05/22/2026

If someone is in trouble in the water, never jump into the water yourself, as a panicked swimmer can easily pull you under and drown you too. Shout for a lifeguard if one is nearby. If not, call 911 immediately or tell a bystander to do it. Then follow these four steps to help: Reach, Throw, Row, Don’t go!

1. REACH: Hold on to the dock or your boat and reach your hand, a boat oar, a fishing pole, or whatever long object you have nearby, to the person
2. THROW: If you can't reach far enough, toss things that float for the person to grab. (Life jacket, ring buoy, empty cooler etc.)
3. ROW: If you're in a boat, use the oars to move the boat closer to the person in the water, or call out to a nearby boat for help. Don't use the boat's motor close to a person in the water, they could be injured by the propeller
4. DON'T GO: Don't go into the water unless you are trained. Call out for help.

Remember, even a strong swimmer can drown trying to help others.

05/22/2026

It might be hard to think about swimming outdoors on a day like today….. but school is out, Memorial Day weekend is upon us and hopefully it will be warmer next week! 🙏 ☀️

So, it’s good time to remind ourselves about some of the ways to keep our children and ourselves safe, whether we’re swimming in pools, ponds, or lakes.

• Actively Supervise Children. And stay with them, even when a lifeguard is present. Stay focused and avoid distractions. Drowning happens fast and quickly. And it can happen quietly!

• Wear a life jacket, not air-filled or foam toys, like water wings, noodles, or inner tubes. And make sure your life jacket is U.S. Coast Guard-approved, appropriate for your water activity. A life jacket that is too large or too small can cause problems.

• Swim sober.

• Swim in supervised areas, preferably with a lifeguard on duty. Ask the lifeguard about water conditions, beach conditions, and potential hazards. Check if there are any warning flags up.

• Always swim with a buddy. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system.

• Check the weather conditions, including the water temperature. Know the latest weather forecast prior to going out and keep a regular check for changing conditions.

05/22/2026

No matter how good of a swimmer you are, things can go wrong. Make sure to wear a vest and have one for everyone on your boat.

No matter how good of a swimmer you are, things can go wrong. Make sure to wear a vest and have one for everyone on your boat.



05/20/2026

Sheriff Kuhns shares great safety tips for summer events and activities. (Starts at 9 minutes.)

Effingham, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Sheriff Kuhns stopped by for his monthly interview to talk about safety for s...

05/18/2026

Remember, if you encounter floodwater:
Turn Around, Don’t Drown®.

05/18/2026

BE AWARE - many country roads have water crossing them with debris from the fields.

05/18/2026

A stalled line of storms could produce rainfall amounts over 3 inches in some locations of east-central and southeast Illinois. A few thunderstorms could produce rainfall rates over 1" per hour at times, increasing the chances of flooding. Poor drainage and low lying areas will have the higher potential of flooding. Never drive through a flooded roadway.