CHICAGO: The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) encourages residents to be prepared for the Winter Season. Public safety is the top priority and staying safe during the winter months requires taking steps now to winterize our homes and cars and prepare our families when the cold, wind, ice and snow comes our way.

 

“OEMC is committed to working with City departments and our partners to assist residents and vulnerable populations heading into the winter season,” said Jose Tirado, Executive Director of OEMC. “It’s our goal to ensure residents are prepared ahead of the cold and snow. We will continue to monitor conditions throughout the season and will coordinate the City’s response during any emergencies and extreme weather conditions we may experience.”

 

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. OEMC will keep the public informed when certain thresholds set by the National Weather Service are reached. These triggers are as follows:

• Winter Weather Advisory (Be Aware): Potentially dangerous winter weather is expected within the next 12-36 hours; Travel difficulties are expected.
• Winter Storm Watch (Be Prepared): Chance for high-end winter impacts is increasing and possible. Issued within 36-48 hours in advance of conditions.
• Winter Storm Warning (Take Action): Dangerous winter weather is expected in the next 12-36 hours or is occurring; Travel problems are expected.
• Blizzard Warning: Severe winter weather is expected in the next 12-36 hours or is occurring – including white out conditions. Do not travel.
• Snow Squall Warning: Rapid onset, brief, intense bursts of snow and strong winds with significant threat to travelers. Delay travel.

Extreme Cold: NOTE: The NWS has revised their Cold Weather Headlines, they are no longer using “Wind Chill” Advisories, Warnings and Watches.

• Cold Weather Advisory (Be Aware): The potential for actual or wind-chill temperatures between –20°F to –30°F.
• Extreme Cold Watch (Be Prepared): Chance for extreme cold is increasing for actual or wind-chill temperatures between –20°F to –29°F.
• Extreme Cold Warning (Take Action): Dangerous conditions exist for actual or wind-chill temperatures below or at –30°F

 

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

 

Get ready now for winter conditions for your family, home, and vehicles. 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 org
• CHILAKE: For lakefront notices including flooding, TEXT “CHILAKE” to 7-8-0-1-5
• CHIBIZ: Business updates, TEXT “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3

 

Weather Preparedness and Weather Forecasts

For Winter safety and preparedness at your fingertips, 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 more in the palm of your hand. Users will also have access to current forecasts, radar and public safety information as well. The app is available through the Apple App and Google Play stores or visit the website,Chicago.gov/OEMC.

 

Warming Centers - Department of Family & Support Services

The City coordinates a network of 190 public facilities available for warming. This includes 7 City Colleges, 6 Community Service Centers, 21 Senior Centers, 80 Libraries, 54 Parks and 22 Police Districts.

 

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.

 

The Chicago Department of Family & Support Services activates warming areas at the City’s six community service centers when temps are 32˚F or below.

• The warming areas are open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Under extreme cold conditions as defined by the National Weather Service and communicated by OEMC, warming center hours of operation 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.  Visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for senior center locations and hours.
• Those seeking a warm place to go after hours can also call 3-1-1 to be connected with available services.
• Individuals requiring emergency overnight shelter should also call 3-1-1.
• DFSS Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) teams 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.

 

A list of community service center locations is available along with information and multilingual fliers containing warming center information also are posted on DFSS's website at Chicago.gov/FSS or you can visit this link - Warming Centers - Map | City of Chicago | Data Portal

 

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, 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 insulating 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.

 

                                            

 

Department of Streets and Sanitation Snow Command

The City’s winter overnight parking ban goes into effect beginning Sunday, December 1, 2024 through April 1, 2025 to ensure the Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) crews can quickly salt and plow the streets during a winter storm. The ban impacts approximately 107 miles of Chicago streets daily from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., and signage is permanently posted along the affected routes. Residents are encouraged to check the posted street signs for parking restrictions. DSS manages more than 9,400 lane miles of roadway and maintains a fleet of over 300 snow vehicles that are fully prepared to respond if needed. DSS is also prepared with 425,000 tons of salt stationed at salt piles throughout the city. For up-to-date snowplow activity, visit the plow tracker at Shovels.Chicago.gov.

 

Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation (CDOT) reminds all home, business, and property owners to clear snow from all sidewalks adjacent to their property, including any crosswalk ramps.  Snow should not be shoveled into the right-of-way, which includes transit stops and bus pads, parking spaces, bike lanes, bike racks, Divvy stations, and any other space where snow impedes traffic of any kind. Property owners responsible for a corner lot must remove snow and ice from sidewalks on all sides of the building and from corner sidewalk ramps. CDOT is responsible for salting and plowing the more than 55 miles of protected bike lanes in Chicago. The public can report uncleared sidewalks and bike lanes by calling 3-1-1, visiting 311.Chicago.gov, or by using the CHI 311 app.

 

Business Affairs and Consumer Protection

The Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) is reminding business licensees that it is their duty to remove sidewalk snow and ice as outlined in the Municipal Code of Chicago 4-4-310 and 10-8-180. Each licensee must remove snow and ice from the sidewalk abutting the licensed premises and any sidewalk ramps intersecting such sidewalks, creating a clear path of at least five feet in width. Businesses that do not comply can face fines. Once any amount of snow has accumulated, sidewalk cafe permittees with sidewalk cafes on the street-side of the sidewalk must remove their cafes from the public way until the snow is removed. Permittees with sidewalk cafes on the building-side of the sidewalk must remove their sidewalk cafes from the public way once two inches of snow has accumulated until the snow is removed.

 

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 clothing when going outside, and watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. Cold weather puts 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 find flu shot locations at chicago.gov/flu and COVID-19 vaccines at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax .

 

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 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

“In preparation for the winter season, ComEd crews are closely monitoring weather conditions, and making sure we have the right people and equipment in place to respond quickly and safely to any interruptions that arise during inclement weather,” said David Perez, executive vice president and COO of ComEd. “As we continue to experience more severe weather and storm events year-round due to climate change, ComEd is investing to harden the grid to provide resilient and reliable service for our customers in Chicago and across the region. These investments have helped to avoid more than 21.7 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 Facebook.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).

 

Public safety is paramount. ComEd offers the following tips and information to encourage customers to stay safe following severe weather:

• If you encounter a downed power line, immediately call ComEd at 1-800-EDISON-1 (1-800-334-7661). Spanish-speaking customers should call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).
• Never approach a downed power line. Always assume a power line is energized and extremely dangerous.
• In the event of an outage, do not approach ComEd crews working to restore power to ask about restoration times. Crews may be working on live electrical equipment, and the perimeter of
• Check on elderly and other family members and neighbors to ensure their safety and make alternate arrangements in the event of an outage.

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 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 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) and Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).