Village officials in Park Forest urged residents on March 10 to register for the community’s emergency notification system, CodeRed, as meteorologists warned of a significant severe weather outbreak expected to impact the region on Tuesday.
The warning comes as forecasters predict that a cold front moving south across the Chicago area will stall near the Interstate 80 corridor. This is expected to create conditions favorable for strong to severe thunderstorms, with warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico colliding with cooler air over northern Illinois. The resulting sharp temperature contrast could increase the risk of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds, particularly for communities near and south of Interstate 80, including Park Forest.
Current forecasts indicate a Level 3 out of 5 risk for both tornadoes and large hail—with hail potentially reaching up to two inches in diameter—and a Level 2 out of 5 risk for damaging winds that could reach speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Village officials said these threats highlight the importance of 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 provides notifications about emergencies and urgent situations affecting Park Forest—such as water main breaks or road closures—by phone call, text message, email, or all three. Weather alerts within CodeRed are automatically issued by the National Weather Service. Vinson said receiving these alerts quickly can be critical during severe weather events. “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.”
Registration for CodeRed is free and available through the Village’s website. According to the official website, Park Forest promotes community health and engagement through dedicated commissions and programs. The village has also received recognition for its sustainability efforts in town planning and community practices according to its official website. Efforts are underway in Park Forest to bolster economic conditions and deliver municipal services through collaboration and innovation according to village officials.
The village operates under a council-manager government structure featuring a mayor and six trustees as its governing body according to its official website. Leadership in sustainability is demonstrated by supporting initiatives such as the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement according to village information. Educational opportunities addressing community issues are provided through programs like the Civic Leadership Academy as reported by village sources.
