Chicagoans face safety concerns amid Excessive Heat Warning

CHICAGO (CBS)– Severe weather Monday is leaving Chicagoans without power Tuesday amid dangerously hot conditions.

An Excessive Heat Warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday for the Chicago area. Heat index values near 110 degrees are expected as Tuesday’s temperatures reach the upper 90s.   

After storms hit the Chicago area, some residents have not had power since 6 p.m. Monday and are now concerned about the heat. 

Over 38,000 ComEd customers are currently impacted by the outages, and nearly 500 ComEd crews are working to restore power.  

If you can’t avoid being outside, ease up on the alcohol and skip the coffee, which can dehydrate you even faster and lead to heat stroke. Drink water; once you are thirsty, you are already starting to become dehydrated. 

Remember the signs of heat exhaustion — Goose bumps, heavy sweating, headache, muscle cramps, rapid pulse and dizziness. 

Here are some tips to keep your pets safe, too. Do not leave your pet in a hot car. Even with the windows rolled down, studies have shown that the temperature inside the car can increase 15 degrees above the outside temperature. The law requires that any time the ambient temperature is above 78 degrees, you cannot leave your dog in a car.

Pets can get dehydrated quickly when it’s hot or humid outdoors. All dogs should be provided with cool water, shade and should be monitored when outside. Animals with short coats or with white or tan fur are more susceptible to sunburn, especially on their noses. 

Residents are asked to check on neighbors, especially seniors. You can request a wellbeing check by calling 311.

The City of Chicago’s cooling areas located at the City’s six community service centers are activated. The cooling areas operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all week. Visitors are required to wear a face covering while in the cooling areas. DFSS will provide free face coverings for guests who do not have one and want to utilize the cooling areas.

• Englewood Center – 1140 W. 79th Street
• Garfield Center – 10 S. Kedzie Ave.
• King Center – 4314 S. Cottage Grove
• North Area Center – 845 W. Wilson Ave.
• South Chicago Center – 8650 S. Commercial Ave.
• Trina Davila Center – 4312 W. North Ave.

During hours of operation, residents can also find relief in one of the City’s more than 75 Chicago Public Library locations and more than 34 Chicago Park District fieldhouses as well as 176 splash pads.

CBS 2’s Marissa Parra talked with some bikers and runners who are trying to beat the heat. They told CBS 2 they are drinking water and getting back to air conditioning.