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Update on Chicago’s Winter Storm Response and Reminders to Keep Residents Safe as\u00a0Frigid Temps and Snowfall Continues<\/p>\n
Mayor Emanuel and City officials provided an update on the City’s response to snowfall that arrived overnight\u00a0and earlier this morning. \u00a0A coordinated citywide response continues to focus on keeping residents – especially\u00a0those most vulnerable – safe and warm as frigid temperatures and snow is expected to continue into the\u00a0weekend.<\/p>\n
Multiple departments and agencies are working to provide a constant assessment of the situation across the\u00a0city to ensure the safety of residents as Chicago continues to feel the impact of the snow accumulation.<\/p>\n
The Department of Streets and Sanitation continues to monitor road conditions and has deployed more than\u00a0280 salt spreaders from its fleet to remove snow and spread salt to ensure streets are safe and passable for\u00a0motorists and emergency vehicles.<\/p>\n
During every snow event, crews work to ensure arterial streets and Lake Shore Drive are clear and safe to\u00a0keep the City’s major roadways accessible for buses, vital services and emergency vehicles. Crews will\u00a0continue to plow residential streets, but conditions may vary with the volume of snow and high winds that\u00a0occurred with the recent weather system. Vehicles will work quickly and safely to make residential streets\u00a0safe and passable.<\/p>\n
FIRE SAFETY TIPS
\nThe Chicago Fire Department does not recommend that residents use space heaters, but acknowledges that\u00a0people may rely on them during cold winter months. \u00a0To minimize the dangers of space heaters, the Fire\u00a0Department recommends only using heaters that are UL certified as safe and never use an extension cord with\u00a0a space heater, which can cause the cord to overheat and burn. \u00a0Most importantly, never allow a space heater\u00a0within three feet of anything that can burn, especially bedding.<\/p>\n
Fire officials also encouraged residents to check their carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. With\u00a0furnaces running during normal cold weather, a small carbon monoxide leak might not be noticed, but with\u00a0heaters running non-stop to match the extreme cold, that small leak could become a deadly source of fumes.\u00a0Carbon Monoxide detectors are designed to alert you before you feel sick, so if yours goes off get to fresh air\u00a0and call 911.<\/p>\n
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
\nThe Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is responsible for clearing snow from protected bike lanes,\u00a0downtown bridge decks and some expressway overpasses. In addition, CDOT’s right of way inspectors are\u00a0responsible for enforcement of sidewalk snow removal regulations.<\/p>\n
The City’s snow clearing ordinance requires property owners to clear a path at least 5 feet wide on all\u00a0sidewalks adjacent to their property, including any crosswalk ramps. Snow should not be shoveled into the\u00a0right-of-way, which includes: transit stops and bus pads, parking spaces, bike lanes, bike racks, Divvy stations\u00a0and any other space where snow impedes traffic of any kind. If you are responsible for a corner lot, you must\u00a0remove snow and ice from sidewalks on all sides of your building and from corner sidewalk ramps. This applies\u00a0to residential property and business owners.<\/p>\n
DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS
\nDuring extreme weather, the Department of Buildings focuses its efforts on complaints from tenants regarding\u00a0inadequate heat and reassigns inspectors to make sure these complaints are dealt with as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
If a tenant is without heat, they should first contact their landlord and then call 311 to report the issue. The\u00a0Department of Buildings enforces the Chicago Heat Ordinance, which mandates that the temperature inside a\u00a0rental residence is at least 68 degrees from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and 66 degrees at night. Landlords face\u00a0fines of up to $500 per day, per violation, for each day they do not supply adequate heat.<\/p>\n
Since midnight, the Department of Buildings has received 46 additional heat complaints. All complaints are\u00a0being addressed and, at this time, there are no reports of conditions that warrant emergency relocation.<\/p>\n
DEPARTMENT OF WATER MANAGEMENT
\nThe Department of Water Management adds additional crews during the extreme cold to address any issues\u00a0that may arise.<\/p>\n
To help prevent frozen water pipes, residents should keep a trickle of water running through at least one\u00a0faucet and allow heat to circulate where water pipes are exposed. If pipes do freeze, use a heating pad or\u00a0blow dryer to thaw them. Residents should never use open flames for thawing as this creates a fire hazard.<\/p>\n
FAMILY AND SUPPORT SERVICES
\nThose seeking access to warming centers and\/or experiencing insufficient heat can visit one of six regional\u00a0DFSS Community Service Centers that double as warming centers. These Community Service Centers are open\u00a0from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Garfield Community Service Center at 10 South Kedzie is\u00a0open on a 24-hour basis to connect families and residents to emergency shelters. To connect to a location,\u00a0residents can call 311 for immediate assistance.<\/p>\n
In addition, the City has a network of facilities that serve as warming centers, which include Chicago Public\u00a0Library branches. Libraries will be open during normal hours, which vary by branch.<\/p>\n
In addition, Chicago Public Library branches also serve as warming centers and will be open during normal\u00a0hours, which vary by branch.<\/p>\n
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
\nThe Chicago Department of Public Health reminds residents to take extra precautions to stay warm and avoid\u00a0hypothermia and frostbite. \u00a0Residents should avoid unnecessary trips outside, and if it is necessary to go\u00a0outside, wear several loose fitting layers of warm clothing. \u00a0When shoveling snow, work slowly and take\u00a0frequent breaks to avoid exhaustion. Be sure to winterize your home and vehicles, and keep cell phones\u00a0charged with extra batteries for emergencies.<\/p>\n
AIRPORTS
\nTo minimize the impact of weather on operations at both airports overnight as and throughout the day, CDA\u00a0has 280 city drivers operating heavy snow removal equipment to keep runway conditions open and operational.\u00a0As of 9 a.m. today, airlines are reporting delays averaging 30-45 minutes at O’Hare, and less than 15 minutes\u00a0at Midway. Due to overnight snow and with weekend snowfall in the forecast, airlines have proactively\u00a0cancelled more than 700 flights at O’Hare, and more than 250 flights at Midway. Travelers are encouraged to\u00a0contact airlines on flight status ahead of time, and to arrive early before scheduled flights.<\/p>\n
CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY
\nThe Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is providing normal weekday service today, and trains and buses are\u00a0running on every route. Though CTA extensively prepares its trains and buses for winter weather and snow,\u00a0unpredictable conditions can sometimes cause delays. CTA advises customers to allow extra travel time, and\u00a0strongly recommend customers get up-to-date bus and train arrival information via the CTA web site\u00a0transitchicago.com, on Twitter @CTA, sign up for Bus and Train Tracker text\/email alerts or access Bus and\u00a0Train Tracker via mobile phones and at rail stations and bus stops.<\/p>\n