Update: 4:30 p.m.: The City of Evanston plans to have extra cooling centers available on the Fourth of July as the city enters the second day of a heat advisory.
For people attending the Fourth of July parade on Central Street, cooling centers will be open at the North Branch Library, 2026 Central St., and at Fire Station 5 at 2830 Central St. Both will be open from noon to 5 p.m., with cool air and water available.
In addition the Utilities Department will set up three drinking fountain stations — at Ackerman Park, at the southeast corner of Prairie Avenue and Central; and at Broadway Avenue north of Central.
Cooling centers will also be open at the Robert Crown Community Center, 1701 Main St., and the Fleetwood Jourdain Community Center, 1655 Foster St., from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.
And the city’s 3-1-1 center will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday to field calls about the heat emergency.
The Health Department late this morning issued a heat advisory that will remain in effect through late Friday.
Temperatures are expected to top out near or just above 100 degrees and heat indices are likely to peak between 102 and 107. Oppressive conditions will continue at night with heat indices likely to remain in the 90s.
With high temperatures and high heat indices, the Evanston Health Department urges all residents to take preventive actions throughout the summer to avoid heat-related illness, such as heat stroke.
Some suggestions from the Health Department to prevent heat-related health problems:
- Drink more fluids (non-alcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
- Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, as they can cause stomach cramps.
- Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. During a heat emergency, information about local cooling shelters will be posted online or can be found by calling 3-1-1.
- Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
- Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
Although anyone at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
- Infants and young children;
- People aged 65 or older;
- People who have a mental illness; and
- Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure.
Those without air conditioning may visit the following public buildings during operating hours today to cool down:
- Chandler-Newberger Center at 1028 Central St. open until 7 p.m.
- Ecology Center at 2024 McCormick Blvd. open until 5 p.m.
- Fleetwood-Jourdain Center at 1655 Foster St. open until 9 p.m.
- Noyes Cultural Arts Center at 927 Noyes St. open until 7 p.m.
- Levy Senior Center at 300 Dodge Ave. open until 9 p.m.
- Robert Crown Center at 1701 Main St. open until midnight.