On June 29th of 2023, a major storm hit in Homer, IL. It was not considered a tornado, but since there were no tornado sirens or warnings about the storm, my family had no clue as to what the severity of the storm was and a tree fell on top of my house and destroyed my roof right outside of my bedroom window. In rural areas, severe weather can develop quickly, and it is important that residents receive timely warnings and clearly understand what to do during emergencies. Some examples of weather that is severe enough to deserve a warning but is not a tornado may include: rapidly changing storms with strong winds or lightning, flash flooding that develops gradually, heat advisories (especially for elderly people), and severe thunderstorms that don’t reach “tornado warning” level. Power outages during storms may also affect medical devices or mobility aids. I am interested in learning more about how the Village of Homer ensures that emergency alerts, warning systems, and safety information are accessible and effective for all residents. I would also like to see if there are any current plans or discussions about improving emergency preparedness, such as maintaining siren systems, increasing public awareness, or updating community emergency response plans. As a student, I am also learning about how citizens can participate in improving their communities. I am starting this petition in order to not only raise awareness, but to help strengthen my claims in order to properly get in contact with town officials. Thank you for your time and consideration!