City of Chicago Emergency Management & Communications
City/Town/Village Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Emergency Management
Recent News About City of Chicago Emergency Management & Communications
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Chicago opens warming centers amid cold snap
The City of Chicago has announced that warming centers will be open on Friday, December 13, in response to cold weather conditions.
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Chicago prepares for arctic blast with network of warming centers
The City of Chicago is urging residents to prepare for a cold snap expected to bring below-zero wind chills on Wednesday, December 11, and Thursday, December 12.
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Chicago prepares for cold with warming centers and safety resources
CHICAGO: The City of Chicago is urging residents to prepare for the upcoming cold temperatures expected over the next two days.
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Chicago prepares residents for cold weather with city services including warming centers
The City of Chicago is urging residents to prepare for a significant drop in temperatures starting Friday, November 29.
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Chicago prepares for busy Thanksgiving weekend with parades and safety measures
The city of Chicago is gearing up for a bustling Thanksgiving weekend, starting with the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28.
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Chicago urges safety measures during holiday season
The City of Chicago is urging residents and visitors to prioritize safety during the holiday season.
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Chicago prepares for festive weekend with holiday events and increased safety measures
The City of Chicago is preparing for a busy weekend as the holiday and winter season events commence.
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Chicago prepares residents for winter with resources and safety tips
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is urging residents to prepare for the upcoming winter season.
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FEMA opens disaster recovery center in Chicago following severe storms
A new Disaster Recovery Center is set to open in Chicago on Sunday, October 6, at the Fredrick A Douglass Branch Library. This center aims to assist residents affected by severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred from July 13 to July 16, 2024. Specialists from FEMA, the state of Illinois, and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be present to guide survivors in applying for federal disaster assistance and other recovery options.
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Chicago hosts disaster preparedness training for houses of worship
Beginning October 2 through October 10, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC), the Chicago Police Department (CPD), and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will conduct five disaster preparedness training sessions at various houses of worship in each of the city's five police areas.
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National If You See Something Say Something Awareness Day set for September 25
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) in Chicago, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is urging residents to participate in National See Something, Say Something Day on Wednesday, September 25. This day falls within Preparedness Month and aims to encourage public vigilance against terrorism-related suspicious activities.
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Biden signs disaster declaration for Illinois after severe weather in July
On September 20, United States President Joseph R. Biden signed a federal Major Disaster Declaration to authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individual Assistance program for seven counties in Illinois, including Cook County and the City of Chicago. This decision follows severe weather and flooding that affected the state from July 13 through July 16, 2024.
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Chicago plans extensive celebrations for Mexican Independence Day
The City of Chicago will celebrate Mexican Independence Day with multiple events and parades citywide, including the new El Grito festival in Grant Park on Saturday, September 14, and Sunday, September 15. The official holiday is Monday, September 16.
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Chicago issues safety tips and opens cooling centers amid excessive heat warning
CHICAGO – With an Excessive Heat Warning issued and heat and humidity expected to continue Sunday into early next week, the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is encouraging residents to be prepared for severe weather impacts. Heat and humidity returned this weekend and will continue into next week with heat indices reaching the upper 90s and lower 100s. More than 250 Cooling Center locations will be activated beginning Saturday, August 25 through Wednesday, August 28 for residents to find relief from the heat.
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Excessive heat watch issued for Chicago with dangerous heat index values
The National Weather Service in Chicago has issued an Excessive Heat Watch from Monday afternoon to Tuesday evening due to dangerously hot conditions. Heat index values are expected to reach up to around 105 degrees on Monday and could rise to around 110 degrees on Tuesday.
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Chicago activates over 250 cooling centers as heat wave approaches
With heat and humidity expected this weekend and early next week, the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) encourages residents to be prepared for severe weather impacts. Heat indices are projected to reach the upper 90s and lower 100s.
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Lollapalooza returns with heightened security measures in place
Lollapalooza returns to Chicago from Thursday, August 1 until Sunday, August 4, running daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in Grant Park. The festival is expected to draw hundreds of thousands to Chicago’s lakefront for the four-day event featuring over 170 performances on multiple stages. The Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) encourages attendees to adhere to all security measures.
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City officials activate cooling centers amid forecasted severe weather
CHICAGO – With severe storms, heat, and humidity expected this week, the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) encourages residents to be prepared for severe weather impacts. As extreme weather can be hazardous and unpredictable, OEMC and City departments are reminding residents and visitors of safety tips and the resources available in event of a storm or heat emergency to help alleviate the impact.
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Illinois leaders join U.S. Secret Service for DNC security briefing
On July 25, 2024, the U.S. Secret Service and its public safety partners will hold a news conference to release the comprehensive public safety map and other security measures for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August 19-22 in Chicago.
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Severe thunderstorms expected in Chicago tonight prompt flood watch
The Chicago Office of Emergency Management is collaborating with the National Weather Service in Chicago to monitor a fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms expected to affect the area tonight until tomorrow morning. The storms are anticipated to bring destructive winds up to 75 mph, with a possibility of small tornadoes. Impacts include flash flooding, potential power outages due to high winds and downed trees.