The National Weather Service is predicting high temperatures in the upper 90s this afternoon, with the heat index reaching 110 to 115 degrees.
So, the Evanston Health Department has declared a Heat Emergency for this afternoon and urges all residents to take preventive actions during this extremely hot weather to avoid heat-related illness, such as heat-stroke.
The weather service also expects the extreme heat to continue at least through tomorrow afternoon.
Advice from health department
- Slow down. Reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Avoid outdoor exercise or tasks during the hottest periods of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
- Dress for summer. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
- Drink plenty of water or other non-alcohol or decaffeinated fluids. Your body needs water to keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Persons who have epilepsy or heart, kidney, or liver disease, are on fluid restrictive diets or have a problem with fluid retention should consult a physician before increasing their consumption of fluids. Do not drink alcoholic beverages and limit caffeinated beverages.
- During excess heat period, spend more time in air-conditioned places. Air conditioning in homes and other buildings markedly reduces danger from the heat. If you cannot afford an air conditioner, go to a library, store or other location with air conditioning for part of the day.
- Don’t get too much sun. Sunburn reduced your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
As part of the Heat Emergency, residents are also encouraged to take advantage of cooling centers across the city. If residents need transportation to the cooling centers, they are asked to call 311.
Those without air conditioning may visit the following public cooling centers in Evanston:
- Chandler-Newberger Center at 1028 Central St. open until 9 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.
Remember to check on people at risk for heat related illness, especially the elderly.
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