Cold Temperatures with Negative Wind Chills Tonight Through Friday Morning The City of Chicago Reminds Residents to Be Prepared for Cold Weather and Utilize City Services and[...]

Chicago Winter Weather Resources for Social Posts, Newsletters and More

CHICAGO: The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) wants to remind residents to be prepared for the cold with bitter cold expected tonight, December 2, through Friday morning, December 5. Public safety is the top priority and staying safe during this winter. OEMC will work closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) to monitor weather conditions throughout the season 24/7 and alert the public to severe weather or extreme cold. It's important to be prepared and take safety precautions.

Cold-Weather Tips

• Motorists should take extra precautions to winterize vehicles and have necessary supplies on-the-go. Keep in mind, disabled vehicles or distracted driving can cause accidents, impact traffic and others or requiring emergency services.
• Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia. For Winter preparation information visit, Chicago.gov/OEMC for details and links to other local, state, and federal resources.
• Avoid unnecessary trips outside. If you must go out, limit the time you stay outside.
• Wear several layers of loose, warm cloth.
• Keep your head, hands and feet covered when outdoor.
• Stay dry because moisture can damage the insulation effectiveness of clothing.
• Pay extra attention to your daily needs: get enough sleep, eat high energy foods, drink warm beverages to help your body stay warm, and avoid alcoholic beverages.

For additional Winter preparedness tips, visit weather.gov/safety/winter-ww.

Warming Centers

The City coordinates a network of 284 public facilities available for warming. This includes 7 City Colleges, 6 DFSS Community Service Centers, 21 DFSS Senior Centers, 80 Libraries, 148 Parks and 22 Police Districts. Contact 3-1-1 for the nearest location by downloading the CHI311 app, online at 311.chicago.gov or dial 3-1-1. Residents may also visit Warming Centers - Map | City of Chicago | Data Portal.

Warming center hours may be extended, along with other supports when the Office of Emergency Management and Communication (OEMC) enacts the City's Emergency Operations Plan for extreme cold conditions as defined by the National Weather Service. Please visit the OEMC website for up-to-date information during extreme weather events.

Chicago Department of Family and Support Services

The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) activates warming areas at the six Community Service Centers (CSCs) and 21 Senior Centers when temps are 32˚F or below. The CSC and Senior Center locations along with multilingual fliers containing warming center information can be found on DFSS's website at chicago.gov/fss.

• The DFSS CSCs are open Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the DFSS Senior Centers are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the exception of the Renaissance Court Senior Center, which is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Under extreme cold conditions as defined by the NWS warming center hours of operation at the Garfield Center located at 10 S. Kedzie may be extended.
• Seniors are welcome at any of DFSS's 21 Senior Centers. DFSS partners with OEMC to use robocalls to inform seniors of key information regarding how to stay safe during extreme weather. Residents may also call 3-1-1 to request a senior well-being check.
• DFSS's Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) team and street outreach partners work proactively with unhoused individuals to connect with warming options, shelter and well-being checks.
• Residents are also encouraged to check on relatives, neighbors and friends during a winter weather emergency.
• Residents should call 3-1-1 to request shelter, if you are in need of a warming center, to request a well-being check for a senior in your community, to report inadequate heat in a residential building, and to request a well-being check for an unhoused neighbor.

Residents are encouraged to download the Chicago OEMC App. The public safety tool provides safety information, preparedness tips, emergency alerts, weather information, DSS Snowplow Tracker and. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar and public safety information as well. Download the app through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit, Chicago.gov/OEMC.

Severe cold temperatures, strong winds and snow can cause additional hazards, whether home or traveling, so it's important to stay informed. OEMC issues several alerts and notifications to keep people up to date on weather conditions and emergencies.

• Notify Chicago: Sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyChicago.org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices including flooding, TEXT "CHILAKE" to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT "CHIBIZ" to 6-7-2-8-3Weather Forecast and Safety

Chicago Department of Public Health

As the City braces for cold temperatures and winter weather, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) would like to caution residents to take care of themselves and to aid neighbors, family members, pets, and friends, particularly those who are elderly, have disabilities and/or live alone. Taking preventative action is the best way to stay safe from the serious health risks associated with winter weather. Residents are advised to limit their time outside, wear layers of warm dry clothing when going outside, and watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Cold weather can put extra strain on the heart - be careful with outdoor physical activities in the winter like shoveling snow, especially if you have high blood pressure or heart disease. CDPH is also reminding residents to get their updated COVID-19 and flu vaccines to keep themselves healthy through the holiday season. We all need to do our part to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses. Residents can receive no-cost flu shots and COVID-19 vaccines at CDPH Immunization Clinics and Events.

Chicago Fire Department

The Chicago Fire Department does not recommend using space heaters; however, if used, be sure they are UL certified and at least 3 feet from anything that can ignite. Use of a space heater in children's rooms should be monitored closely as children sometimes move them close to or into the bed with tragic results. If extension cords are used, they should be rated at 15 amps minimum and never put cords under carpet. With the added demand for furnaces and boilers, CFD also reminds residents are required by ordinance to have working carbon monoxide detectors to protect against carbon monoxide leaks from a heating system that could be fatal over time. Those seeking access to warming centers and/or experiencing insufficient heat are encouraged to contact 3-1-1 for immediate assistance. Also, be sure to keep smoke detectors in working order.

Department of Water Management

The Department of Water Management reminds residents to prevent frozen pipes, make sure that warm air is circulating throughout the home and keep a trickle of water running. If pipes freeze, do not use candles or any open flame to thaw them. Use a hair dryer or heating pad. For more info visit https://www.chicago.gov/water

Chicago Animal Care and Control

Chicago Animal Care and Control reminds residents that winter brings bitter cold and numbing wetness, so let's help our pets stay safe and warm. Indoor cats are always safer indoors, and dogs should only be outside for exercise when temperatures drop. Short-haired dogs, puppies, seniors, and indoor cats should never be left outside without supervision, regardless of the season. Short-coated dogs may also be more comfortable wearing a sweater or coat on winter walks.

ComEd

"As we continue to see forecasts for a snowier winter, we are taking steps now to ensure the grid is prepared to provide safe, reliable energy to all customers," said David Perez, executive vice president and COO of ComEd. "Investments we've made to harden the grid in the face of increased instances of severe weather have helped to avoid more than 24.7 million customer interruptions since investments began in 2012."

ComEd urges customers to contact the company immediately if they experience a power outage. Customers can text OUT to 26633 (COMED) to report an outage and receive restoration information and can follow the company on Twitter @ComEd or on Facebook at tcheFacebook.com/ComEd. Customers can also call 1-800 EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661), or report outages via the website at ComEd.com/report. Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).

Peoples Gas

Peoples Gas advises that if you smell gas or think a gas line is damaged, leave the area immediately and call this number from a safe location: 866.556.6002.

• Never use a stove or oven to heat your home. It could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Have your boiler/furnace inspected regularly and make sure all natural gas appliances have proper ventilation. Make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors and test them regularly. Understand the dangers and symptoms of carbon monoxide. Keep the area around your furnace and water heater free of clutter and flammable items.
• Gently remove snow and ice from outside natural gas meters by hand or with a broom to avoid damage to the equipment. Remove overhead icicles to prevent dripping water from refreezing on your natural gas meters and pipes. Keep your walkway leading to the meter clear for accessibility in an emergency.

• Peoples Gas is here to help customers struggling to keep up with bills. Go to peoplesgasdelivery.com, use our app, or call us to discuss flexible payment plans and budget billing. Income-eligible customers may also qualify for financial assistance. To see if you are eligible and apply, go to cedaorg.net or call the Community Economic Development Association (CEDA) at 800-571-2332.

Suspicious Activity: If you See Something Say Something. OEMC reminds the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity. If you notice something suspicious, notify onsite security or call 9-1-1. If You See Something, Say Something™ is a national anti-terrorism public awareness campaign that emphasizes the importance of reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities.

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and Threads (@chicago_oemc_911).

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