The City of Evanston’s Health and Human Services Department has declared a Heat Advisory for today through Saturday and is urging residents to take preventive action to avoid heat-related illness, such as heatstroke.
The National Weather Service has declared an Excessive Heat Warning for both days, indicating that the heat index may rise to between 105 and 115 degrees during the daytime hours.
The Health and Human Services Department recommends residents take the following actions to prevent heat-related illnesses:
- Drink lots of water, and avoid alcohol, caffeine and high salt intake
- Stay in cool, shaded areas while outdoors, and keep the blinds drawn or lights down indoors
- Use air conditioners or fans; avoid excessive exposure to heat in unventilated areas
- Reduce physical activity
- Take cool baths or showers, and use cool towels
- Wear loose, light cotton clothing and a breathable hat
- Eat light meals; avoid eating heavy meals and using the oven
- Do not let anyone sit in a hot car, even for a few minutes
Community members are also reminded to check on people at risk for heat-related illness, especially elderly individuals.
As part of the Heat Advisory, residents are encouraged to take advantage of cooling centers across the city during their operating hours:
- Chandler-Newberger Center, 1028 Central St., Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Fleetwood-Jourdain Center, 1655 Foster St., Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave., Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Robert Crown Center, 1701 Main St., Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823 Church St., Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Main Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington Ave., Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- North Branch Library, 2026 Central St., Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Chicago Ave./Main St. Branch Library, 900 Chicago Ave., Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Update 5:03 p.m.: Scratch the Levy Center from the list of cooling centers, at least for the moment. Its air conditioning system has broken down, and Assistant Community Services Director Karen Hawk reports “it is really warm” there now. The city’s facilities staff is working to make repairs.
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