How To Prepare For Friday’s Severe Storms In Iowa & Illinois

The risk of severe storms in Iowa, Illinois, and the Quad Cities area Friday afternoon have increased. Before these potential storms develop and cut through our area, make sure you and your family know exactly what to do to remain safe and informed.

The entire Quad Cities area has been upgraded to a 'moderate', or level 4 out of 5, risk for these potential storms. It's important that you take these warnings seriously and be prepared at all costs.

Moderate Risk of Severe Storms for the Quad Cities

Our incredible weather partners with the First Alert Weather team at KWQC-TV6 are relaying to viewers and to us that things are probably going to get bad tomorrow with the weather.

TV6 and the National Weather Service of the Quad Cities have upgraded (bad in this case) the Quad Cities to level 4 out of 5, or a moderate risk for severe storms. What does that mean? KWQC says that means severe widespread storms are likely.

What Should We Expect With These Storms?

The only "good" thing about Friday will be the warm temps as we'll see highs in the low 70s. But that warm air is the culprit for these potential severe storms.

The primary threats with these potential severe storms include:

• Strongs and Damaging Winds
  • These storms will be moving quickly at over 50 mph. These storms could produce wind gusts up to 70 mph which can cause severe damage.
• Tornadoes
  • Some strong tornadoes are possible with these storms. KWQC Chief Meteorologist Erik Maitland says that a few EF-2 tornadoes are possible and we can't rule out EF-3 tornadoes.

The secondary threat with these storms is large hail. The National Weather Service of the Quad Cities says we could see up to ping-pong-sized hail.

Timing Of These Severe Storms

Both the National Weather Service of the Quad Cities and KWQC are saying essentially the same thing regarding the timing of these storms.

The Quad Cities metro and the surrounding area will most likely see these storms arrive at the Mississippi River around 5 p.m.

How To Prepare For Friday's Severe Weather & Severe Weather Season

As mentioned before, these storms will be moving at an access of 50 mph across our area. That means if you're not prepared when you see the storm arriving, it's going to be too late. That's why it's a great time to get prepared for severe weather potentially arriving tomorrow and for the rest of the severe weather season.

The National Weather Service of the Quad Cities has a great graphic that shows what to do days out, the day before, and the day of severe and what you need to do. See the graphic below:

• Get Updates Before, During, & After Severe Weather
  • This isn't some cheap plug. Have our app and the KWQC Weather App so you can stay up-to-date on severe weather as it approaches, is happening, and afterward.
  • Make sure your phone is charged to keep updated and to contact anyone before or after the storm.
• Know Where To Go
  • In case of a tornado or damaging winds, know where the best place to shelter is. If you didn't know, the best place to go during severe weather is your basement or an interior room with no windows. Talk with your family today to be prepared for tomorrow.

• Be Calm, Be Prepared
  • Panicking is not prepared. Being prepared will help you and your family remain calm. When you go over your safety plan, make sure your emergency preparedness kit contains water, a flashlight, snacks, chargers, weather or FM/AM radio, batteries, and any other items deemed necessary.
• Don't Go Outside
  • We all joke about how Quad Citizens and Midwesterners like to look outside the wind or stand outside to look at the severe weather roll through. It's not going to be too funny when you're caught outside in it.

If you don't have an action plan for your home, make one today. The National Weather Service of the Quad Cities has a great tool to create a severe weather action plan here.