News Flash

Park Forest urges residents to sign up for CodeRed as severe storms threaten area

Village of Park Forest - Administration News Posted on March 10, 2026

Village officials are urging residents to sign up for the community’s emergency notification system as forecasters warn a significant severe weather outbreak could move through the region on Tuesday.

Meteorologists say a cold front moving south across the Chicago area is expected to stall near the Interstate 80 corridor, creating conditions favorable for strong to severe thunderstorms.

Warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico is expected to collide with cooler air across northern Illinois, producing a sharp temperature contrast across the region.

Forecasters say that contrast could increase the risk of severe storms, particularly for communities near and south of Interstate 80, which includes the Village of Park Forest.

Current outlooks indicate:

  • A Level 3 out of 5 tornado risk, mainly near and south of Interstate 80

  • A Level 3 out of 5 large hail risk, with hail potentially reaching up to 2 inches in diameter

  • A Level 2 out of 5 damaging wind risk, with gusts that could reach 70 mph

Village officials say the potential threat highlights the importance of residents having multiple ways to receive emergency alerts.

“It is critical for residents to stay informed during emergencies, and one of the most effective ways to do this is by signing up for CodeRed,” Communications Coordinator Joshua Vinson said. “When severe weather threatens, having multiple ways to receive warnings — such as a NOAA weather radio, local television, or an emergency alert system like CodeRed — can make a significant difference.”

CodeRed allows residents to receive notifications about emergencies and other urgent situations affecting the community, such as water main breaks, road closures, and other public safety concerns. Users can choose to receive alerts by phone, text, email, or all three.

Weather alerts within the system are automatically issued by the National Weather Service, but receiving them quickly can be critical during severe weather events, he said.

“Last Friday, strong thunderstorms produced localized flooding here in Park Forest,” Vinson said. “CodeRed notified residents of the Flash Flood Warning and helped people recognize that it wasn’t a typical rainstorm.”

Village officials said CodeRed registration is free and takes only a few minutes to complete on the Village of Park Forest website.