Winter Weather Toolkit for Alders, Community Groups and Media

WHAT:           The National Weather Service (NWS) in Chicago has issued a Cold Weather Advisory due to dangerous wind chills as low as -20° below zero.

WHEN:           9 p.m. Monday, February until noon on Tuesday, February 18

IMPACTS:      Wind chills this cold could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Use caution while traveling outside and wear appropriate clothing, hat and gloves. The

City of Chicago encourages residents to be prepared for very cold temperatures through Friday, February 21 with temperatures dipping into the single digits and teens along with a chance of snow midweek.

The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) will work closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) to monitor weather conditions 24/7 and alert the public to any changes in the severity and dangerous conditions of the cold.

Warming Centers

The City coordinates a network of more than 200 public facilities available for warming. This includes participating Chicago Public Library locations, Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department and City Colleges of Chicago facilities during business or designated hours.

Warming Centers Center available Monday, February 17, Presidents Day

87 Locations include:

Chicago Park District: 57 locations will be open: Holiday Schedule Chicago Park District.

Garfield Community Service Center - 10 South Kedzie Avenue, 9am – 5pm

Chicago Police Districts – 22 locations

Salvation Army Freedom Center (825 N. Christiana) will be available as a 24/7 warming center through Tuesday, February 18

Drop-In Centers: Drop-in centers provide a warm, low-barrier space for unsheltered residents to access food, water, and basic services. Some locations have extended hours during extreme weather:

• Matthew House (3722 S. Indiana Ave) | 6:30am – 4:30 pm
• Sarah’s Circle (4838 N. Sheridan Rd) | 9:00am– 4:30pm
• Lincoln Park Community Services (1521 N. Sedgwick St) | 11:00am – 4:00pm
• Franciscan Outreach (10 S. Kedzie Ave) | 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Broadway Youth Center (1023 W. Irving Park Rd) | 9:00am – 3:00pm
• Inspiration Corporation (4554 N. Broadway, Suite #207) | 6:00am – 10:00am

Warming Centers Center Locations available Tuesday, February 18 – Friday, February 21
Community Service Centers, 9am - 5pm

• Englewood Community Service Center - 1140 West 79th Street
• Garfield Community Service Center - 10 South Kedzie Avenue
• Martin Luther King Community Service Center - 4314 South Cottage Grove
• North Area Community Service Center - 845 West Wilson Avenue
• South Chicago Community Service Center - 8650 South Commercial Avenue
• Trina Davila Community Service Center - 4312 West North Avenue

Senior Centers (8:30am – 4:30pm) – visit Chicago.gov/Seniors for locations.

Chicago Park District: visitchicagoparkdistrict.com for hours and locations.

Chicago Public Library: For locations, visit chipublib.org for hours and locations.

Chicago Police Districts – 22 locations

To find the closest warming center and hours residents can contact 3-1-1 via phone or online at 311.chicago.gov, download the Chicago OEMC, or visit the data portal link - Warming Centers - Map | City of Chicago | Data Portal. For all emergencies requiring First Responders, please call 9-1-1.

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 download the Chicago OEMC app and visit the OEMC website for up-to-date information during extreme weather events.

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 outdoors.
• 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.
• Don’t forget your pets; bring them inside during bitter cold and numbing wetness to stay safe and warm.

Department of Family & Support Services

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. with reduced locations on holidays.
  • NOTE: Some locations will be closed on Monday, February 17 for President’s Day. The Garfield Community Service Center will remain open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday
    • Englewood Community Service Center - 1140 West 79th Street
    • Garfield Community Service Center - 10 South Kedzie Avenue
    • Martin Luther King Community Service Center - 4314 South Cottage Grove
    • North Area Community Service Center - 845 West Wilson Avenue
    • South Chicago Community Service Center - 8650 South Commercial Avenue
    • Trina Davila Community Service Center - 4312 West North Avenue
  • 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 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.). 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. NOTE: locations will be closed on Monday, February 17 for President’s Day.
  • 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.
    • While most DFSS-funded shelters operate 24/7, DFSS has activated 4 remaining overnight shelters for youth and adults to operate 24/7 through Tuesday, February 18 for warming for those shelter residents.
  • 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. DFSS is coordinating with teams in select areas to expand hours for Sunday and Monday to provide additional engagement and crisis checks for unsheltered residents.
  • DFSS has also activated daytime drop-in centers to provide extended hours to people experiencing homelessness.
    • Matthew House (3722 S. Indiana Ave) | 6:30am – 4:30 pm
    • Sarah’s Circle (4838 N. Sheridan Rd) | 9:00am– 4:30pm
    • Lincoln Park Community Services (1521 N. Sedgwick St) | 11:00am – 4:00pm
    • Franciscan Outreach (10 S. Kedzie Ave) | 9:00am – 5:00pm
    • Broadway Youth Center (1023 W. Irving Park Rd) | 9:00am – 3:00pm
    • Inspiration Corporation (4554 N. Broadway, Suite #207) | 6:00am – 10:00am
  • Residents are also encouraged to check on relatives, neighbors and friends during a winter weather emergency.

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 

Download the OEMC Chicago App for Weather Preparedness and 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.

It’s important to be prepared and take safety precautions. Residents are reminded to make sure their families, homes and vehicles are prepared for winter conditions. Severe cold temperatures, strong winds and snow can cause additional hazards, whether at 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

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).

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