Chicago weather: Over 40K without power as strong storms bring damaging winds and heavy rain
Tuesday breaks temperature record, becoming hottest day of year in Chicago
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Chicago area experienced a second day of extreme heat Tuesday, which set off several rounds of strong storms in the evening.
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Several rounds of severe thunderstorm warnings went into effect in Illinois and Northwest Indiana Tuesday, starting in the late afternoon.
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All severe weather warnings and watches in the Chicago area expired by 11 p.m. Tuesday.
The storms have been moving quickly, bringing heavy downpours, lightning and hail. ComEd said that as of 10:30 p.m., 40,707 customers were without power.
Gusty winds, sheets of rain and a symphony of lightning punctuated two days of extreme heat on Tuesday night.
Storms left a mess in north suburban Glencoe and flooded streets in Vernon Hills. The storm hit around dusk with ferocity, unleashing small hail in Woodstock.
Inbound and outbound Metra Union Pacific Northwest trains were stopped due to high wind warnings between Palatine and Fox River Grove just after 6 p.m.
Metra Union Pacific North inbound and outbound trains remained stopped near Braeside due to a tree on the tracks on Tuesday evening.
Multiple UP-North trains did not depart from Ogilvie Transportation Center due to the blockage. Another train did not leave from Waukegan for the same reason.
An extra UP-North train will start at Winnetka and make all stops to Chicago, Metra said.
Meanwhile, the White Sox game against the Texas Rangers was suspended in the first inning due to the weather. It will continue Wednesday as a doubleheader starting at 4:10 p.m.
The Sox said the second game will begin 30-45 minutes after the end of the opener, but not before 7:10 p.m.
ABC7 Chicago Meteorologist said storms in the Chicago area have been weakening as of 10:30 p.m. as they slowly drift to the south.
Some isolated flooding is possible and a number of lightning strikes are still expected in the Chicago area until after midnight, when the severe weather threat is expected to drop off, Scott said.
A cluster of storms out west was moving northwest toward the Chicago area around 10:30 p.m.
Scott said that system could bring isolated rain or an isolated storm to the area in the early Wednesday morning hours.
Tuesday's heat breaks records in Chicago
Before the rain, temperatures were still in the 90s. That was not too hot for some shooting hoops or others participating a Chicago Park District-sponsored yoga class in Wicker Park.
"We want to be very careful. I'm going to offer lots of water breaks and towel breaks and places to pause and stop," said Chi Yoga Shack teacher Richard Gonshak.
Tuesday has been the hottest day of the year, with the heat index well into the triple digits.
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Chicago's official temperature got up to 99, breaking the record of 97 for the date. Heat indices easily reached the triple digits throughout the area during the day.
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Some jumped in to help their communities deal with record-high temps. Saint Sabina Church held a free water giveaway.
While people have been flocking to cooling centers, Father Michael Pfleger and his team were able to quench the thirst of anyone who just happened to be passing by.
"It's a blessing to us because it causes us to remember what we're supposed to be doing is helping each other," he said.
They had 4,400 bottles of water to give out, and they wouldn't stop until every single one was gone.
"It was like a thrill, a lifesaver, to see them passing out energy," Michael Elmore said. "They are a lifesaving force in this community."
Those like Elmore said, after working hours outside, coming to 75th Street and Racine Avenue was a more than pleasant surprise.
"Through rain, shine, through the snow. We must be out there," Elmore said. "They are out here getting the message out that there are still good people in the world doing good things."
Pfleger and his team of volunteers from Saint Sabina collected more than 4,000 bottles of water in less than 24 hours.
"For some people in this neighborhood, paying for $1, $2 for water is more than they have," Pfleger said. "People want to help. Give them opportunities to help them. They'll do it."
The help has been evident across the city, with cooling centers like the one on South Cottage Grove Avenue.
"The actual benefit of coming to a DFSS Community Service Center is the fact that you can get a holistic wraparound support," said Mark Sanders, deputy commissioner of the Department of Family and Support Services.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Health Center has free air conditioning, crisis support and the ability to apply for public benefits or receive workforce development services.
"We want them to come in and feel safe, and, basically, first and foremost, cool off," Sanders said.
There are nearly 300 locations across the city of Chicago, where people in need can go to cool down. Dr. Martin Luther King Health Center on Cottage Grove will be open until 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The American Lung Association said it's also important to check the air quality.
"We're kind of in overdrive, trying to adjust, reach equilibrium. And in doing so, you know, we're burning a lot more calories; we're going through a lot more water," said Timmy Arnold, with the American Lung Association.
Arnold said those with lung diseases, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, need to take extra precaution, like staying inside or taking a cool bath.
"Make sure to have your medication on-hand and stay cool," Arnold said.
Suzanne Sheridan was biking 13 miles home to Evanston Tuesday evening.
"I just like biking so much, and, you know, as long as I'm like hydrated, I don't mind. It's just a matter of, yeah, being prepared mentally and physically," Sheridan said.
The extreme heat is taxing not just people, but equipment, at New Sullivan Fine Arts Academy on the South Side. The AC went out in parts the school, including, according to the principal, some third-floor classrooms. Those students moved to the gym.
"I think they should have called and reach out to the parents and let the parents know and gave us our choices of whether to get the children or not. I don't think it's fair," said CPS parent Denise Davis.
Near 83rd Street and Buffalo Avenue, construction crews repaved the street Tuesday. Their work was delayed because it's too hot to pour concrete.
"Even if I'm working slow, I just try and keep pushing, keep going. It's hard, but I gotta keep going," worker Juan Ochoa said.
On a day like this, you need motivation.
And, for Ochoa, it's his girlfriend, Ruby.
"This job makes good money. I can support us. That's why I'm out here. That's why I push myself so hard. I think about her all the time, like I gotta keep pushing for her," Ochoa said.
People flocked to the lakefront Tuesday morning to get those outdoor workouts in early ahead of the extreme heat.
"It's better to be up early now because, I mean, it's already warm; so, it's only going to get worse," said Brooke Roberts, who was enjoying the lakefront.
The water is sure to offer some relief before the city's beaches officially close for the season next week.
People were seen biking, walking, running, or, in one couple's case, playing volleyball.
"Came with a group of friends to play volleyball and get some kind of sweat in before it gets a little too hot," said Victor Velazquez, who was enjoying the lakefront.
Downtown commuters shuffled to work down sizzling sidewalks with water bottles in hand.
"I biked to work, and I was sweating," commuter Nick Elliott said. "I mean, it's pretty hot."
"It's really hard to breathe and grasp air," commuter Mandy Gorski said. "It's almost this humid mixed with the warmth: not something we're used to in Chicago."
Commuters were grateful the CTA buses have air conditioning.
"It's like humid; it's thick. You can feel it's thick," commuter Justice Cody said. "But the commute wasn't hot on the bus luckily. But I can definitely feel the air is getting thick."
"It's definitely not my favorite weather, but, you know, it's Chicago, unpredictable," commuter Calvin Bulzoni said.
Students in Ottawa will again have early dismissal Wednesday due to the heat.
Chicago residents can call 311 or click here for the latest information on cooling centers and to request well-being checks, officials said.
Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications has released the following information about cooling centers.
Cooling Centers Open on Tuesday, Aug. 27 - Wednesday, Aug. 28
The city of Chicago's cooling areas located at the city's six community service centers operated by the Department of Family and Support Services will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Garfield Service Center at 10 S. Kedzie Ave. is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for cooling and 24/7 for those needing shelter placement.
The cooling centers will be open until 8 p.m. Tuesday and then 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
Additional Cooling Options Available Citywide
Chicago Park District facilities, Chicago Public Libraries, City Colleges of Chicago and Police Department District stations are also available for relief from the heat and humidity. Chicago Police Department district stations are available 24 hours for relief from the heat and to be connected with shelter.
City Colleges of Chicago Cooling Locations:
- Daley: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., closed Sunday
- Harold Washington: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. - Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., closed Sunday
- Kennedy-King: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Malcolm X: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Olive-Harvey: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., closed Sunday
- Truman: Monday - Friday 8 a.m.- 9 p.m/, Saturday 8 a.m.- 9 p.m., closed Sunday
- Wright: Monday- Friday 8 a.m.- 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. - 2 p.m., closed Sunday
