PHOTOS: Chicago beats the heat
The heat has Chicago fire paramedics hustling. Ambulance crews zip to calls and pack hospital emergency rooms, some patients are elderly.
"A lot of heat emergencies today, a lot of people overcome by the heat," said Elizabeth Michna, fire paramedic.
"She already had problems breathing to start with, the heat exaggerates that problem," said Jeff Kiefer, fire paramedic.
Field Chief Julie Coy is supervising 8 ambulance crews Thursday night.
"It's just a busier day. . . they can look forward to one run after another," said Field Chief Julie Coy, Chicago Fire Department.
The heat is triggering other challenges. Firefighters cool down heat-stressed bridges. Metra warns commuters about possible delays. Gardeners douse lawns. And, on the lighter side, beach goers enjoy the water, as do boaters.
"This is why we live here, this is what we do. Cool off in this giant lake. Mother Nature. Perfect," said Lisa Kross, boater.
But as you have fun, first responders are working 24/7. Paramedics and firefighters, like this crew fighting a fire on the Southside Thursday night. Fighting to stay cool, and fight fires.
On Thursday afternoon, the bridges over the Calumet River were expanding because of the high temperatures. City crews raised the bridges and brought in a fire truck to hose them down and cool them off.
A heat advisory is in effect for much of the state until 7 p.m. Friday. In Chicago, the worst of it is expected midday Thursday, with temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s, which means the heat indexes could reach 98 to 105 degrees, and on Friday, when some parts of the state could climb as high as 108-degrees on the heat index. Thursday's overnight low will only drop to the upper 70s.
That intensity, combined with the long duration of heat led the National Weather Service to issue the heat advisory. Severe weather may bring cooler temperatures in with it for the weekend.
The heat could cause rolling blackouts and buckle pavement, already Metra trains are running on heat delays of 10 to 15 minutes. Metra released a statement, "When temperatures exceed 95 degrees, it is necessary to operate our trains at reduced speeds to compensate for heat-related stresses on our track, switches and signals. During this heat event, we will have all resources on standby so we can quickly respond and restore service."
On Thursday morning, an underground transformer blew on the city's Northwest Side. ComEd crews worked overnight to get power back on. And part of U.S. 30 in Crest Hill was closed for several hours while IDOT crews worked to patch a hole.
Officials are urging residents to seek out shelter at cooling centers, drink lots of fluids, especially water, and check on neighbors. People should avoid being outside during the height of the heat, and exercise should be done during the early morning. Hot weather safety tips
At Brookfield Zoo, zookeepers are helping the animals keep cool with icy treats. Tim Sullivan, who has worked at Brookfield since he was a teenager, said while it's hot, the polar bears and other big animals aren't as uncomfortable as you might think.
