Severe weather season is about to start, are you ready?

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - As the weather warms up, the chances for severe weather increases. Now is the time to prepare, before it is too late.

"You need to pay attention to the forecasts, the warnings, the watches, the advisories, because you never know, it could just pop up," said John Dwyer, Coordinator for the Champaign County Emergency Management Agency. "After a storm, it will take time for help to arrive so the better prepared you are, the more responders can concentrate on those that really need help."

In 2023, Illinois experienced more tornadoes than any other state. That's why the National Weather Service says, it's important to make emergency plans for more than just your home. You should know what to do if weather hits if you are at work or travelling.

It's also crucial to check the forecast before you travel. Nicole Albano, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Lincoln, says flash flooding is the leading cause of severe weather fatalities.

"A lot of times what happens is people are driving back home or to work, and they're driving around a route that they always take," said Albano. "They know the dips in the road, they know the curbs, but if that road is covered in water, you don't know what the condition is below it."

Both Albano and Dwyer said in the Spring, these storms can come out of nowhere, so it's critical to always be prepared. Albano recommends keeping "go bag" with important materials, prescriptions, and foods. Dwyer said, having copies of your insurance papers in a safe space will help if damage is done to your home, so you don't have to try to connect with your insurance provider.