Hoopeston Emergency Management Agency

Hoopeston Emergency Management Agency Brad Hardcastle, Director
Roy Kohl, Deputy Director

EMA Volunteers and Spotters:

Bob Heavner
Leonard Davis
Russ Hibma
Chad Thomas
Jerry Smith
Eric Smith
Roy Kohl
Pat Nichols
Brad Hardcastle
Nick Delfino

🚨 Understanding Hoopeston's Outdoor Warning Sirens 🚨The City of Hoopeston EMA wants residents to understand when our Out...
06/15/2026

🚨 Understanding Hoopeston's Outdoor Warning Sirens 🚨

The City of Hoopeston EMA wants residents to understand when our Outdoor Warning Siren System will be activated and, just as importantly, what it is designed to do.

🔊 The outdoor warning sirens are intended for people who are OUTDOORS. They are designed to alert individuals outside that an imminent threat exists and that they should immediately seek shelter and obtain additional information through reliable sources.

Do not rely on outdoor warning sirens to wake you up at night or alert you while indoors. Every household should have multiple ways to receive emergency warnings, such as:

✅ NOAA Weather Radio
✅ Wireless Emergency Alerts on your cell phone
✅ Local television and radio stations
✅ Trusted weather apps

The City of Hoopeston may activate the outdoor warning sirens under the following circumstances:

🌪️ Confirmed Tornado or Funnel Cloud

• A tornado is confirmed by a trained weather spotter, law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency management official, or other reliable source; or

• A funnel cloud is observed that poses an immediate threat to the City of Hoopeston.

Sirens may be activated even if the National Weather Service has not yet issued a Tornado Warning.

⛈️ Destructive Severe Thunderstorm

• Sustained wind gusts of 75 mph or greater; or

• The storm is specifically identified as "destructive" or uses similar wording indicating a life-threatening event.

⚠️ Other Imminent Threats

The EMA Director or designee may authorize siren activation for other emergencies that present an immediate threat to life and where outdoor warning is appropriate, including:

• Hazardous materials incidents requiring immediate protective action

• Acts of terrorism

• Civil emergencies requiring urgent public action

• Other extraordinary events as determined by the EMA Director

When you hear the outdoor warning sirens:

➡️ Move indoors immediately.

➡️ Seek shelter in an appropriate location.

➡️ Monitor trusted sources for updated information and instructions.

Outdoor warning sirens are an important part of our emergency notification system, but they are only one tool. Please make sure you and your family have multiple ways to receive emergency alerts so you can stay informed and prepared.

Here is a helpful graphic from our friends at Vermilionweather.com

The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado that impacted Hoopeston on Thursday night and labeled it an EF1 and w...
06/14/2026

The National Weather Service confirmed the tornado that impacted Hoopeston on Thursday night and labeled it an EF1 and wrote the following summary:

The tornado touched down about a half mile south of Highway 9 east of county road 1300E, overturning an irrigation pivot. It crossed Highway 1 on the south edge of town and damaged the roof of a tractor dealership. It skirted the south edge of Hoopeston, causing damage to trees and shingles. It strengthened by the time it reached the intersection of Highway 9 and 1700E, snapping tree trunks and damaging the roof of a house. Down the road, an outbuilding was flattened, and several additional trees were snapped. It entered Cheneyville and snapped additional tree trunks; significant damage to buildings at the intersection of Highway 9 and 1900E was likely due to rear-flank downdraft winds up to 100 mph. The tornado appears to have lifted before reaching the Indiana border.

06/12/2026

The City of Hoopeston was struck this evening by what, by all accounts, appears to have been a tornado.

A trained Hoopeston EMA storm spotter observed a tornado immediately south of Illinois Route 9 and east of South Sixth Avenue. At that time, the outdoor warning sirens were activated to alert residents to seek shelter. Hoopeston EMA spotters were then instructed to return to the city and take shelter themselves as the storm moved through the area.

Following the storm, Hoopeston EMA personnel began conducting preliminary damage assessments throughout the city. EMA teams are currently tracking and documenting damage from west of Illinois Route 1, east along Illinois Route 9, and continuing toward the Indiana state line.

Residents are urged to use caution, as there are numerous reports of downed trees, power lines, and other storm-related hazards throughout the community.

We understand that many residents have been impacted by this storm, and we appreciate your patience as first responders, utility crews, and EMA personnel continue their response efforts. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

06/12/2026

Power has been restored to most parts of the city.

City Hall we remain open for the night for anyone who needs to use it.

Also be advised there is still a lot of debris in and around the roadways, so please use caution tonight and in the morning.

06/12/2026

Due to the ongoing power outage, City Hall will be open tonight for any residents who need a place to go temporarily.

Please note that City Hall is not equipped as a shelter. There are no sleeping quarters, cots, showers, or other amenities available. The building is simply being made available as a safe place to sit, cool off, charge devices, and get out of the dark while power restoration efforts continue.

City Hall is located at 301 W. Main Street. Residents are welcome to stop by as needed throughout the evening.

Additionally, there are reports of trees and power lines down throughout the community. Please use extreme caution if you must travel. Stay away from any downed power lines and assume they are energized. Do not attempt to move trees or debris that may be in contact with utility lines. If you encounter a hazardous situation, contact 9-1-1.

Please continue to monitor official City of Hoopeston communications for updates regarding the power outage and restoration efforts.

04/27/2026

Vermilion County is under a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 12:30 pm 4/27/26

04/18/2026

Vermilion County is under a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING until 11:00 pm 4/17/26

04/18/2026

Vermilion County is under a TORNADO WATCH until 11:00 pm 4/17/26

03/26/2026

Vermilion County is under a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH until 11:00 pm 3/26/26

03/15/2026

Vermilion County is under a TORNADO WATCH until 10:00 pm 3/15/26.

Address

413 W Main Street
Hoopeston, IL
60942

Telephone

+12172839999

Website

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