Know What Can Happen

The first step in being prepared for an emergency is to know the types of emergencies or disasters that could happen.
In suburban Cook County, the types of emergencies that are possible are extreme weather, communicable disease outbreaks, and bioterrorism as well as chemical or radiological events.

Disease Outbreaks

Disease outbreaks that occur seasonally or are considered possible threats include:

• 
  

  Seasonal Flu

• 
  

  Pandemic Flu

• 
  

  West Nile Virus

• 
  

  Zika Virus

• 
  

  Syphilis

Natural Disasters And Severe Weather

In Cook County, we know the following are possible.
Click here  to learn more about natural disasters and severe weather.

• 
  

  Winter Weather

• 
  

  Excessive Heat

• 
  

  Flood

• 
  

  Tornadoes

   

• 
  

  Lightning

   

Bioterrorism

A bioterrorism attack is the deliberate release of viruses, bacteria, or other germs (agents) used to cause illness or death in people, animals, or plants. Category A agents that pose the highest risk to the public include the items listed below. Click here to learn more about bioterrorism.

• 
  

  Anthrax

• 
  

  Botulism

• 
  

  Plague

• 
  

  Smallpox

• 
  

  Tularemia

• 
  

  Viral Hemorrhagic Fever