Chicago City Wire

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.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the Chicago area from 6 p.m. tonight until 3 a.m. Tuesday morning, July 16, due to heavy rainfall potentially causing significant flash flooding. Underpass, viaduct, and street flooding are possible.

Residents are advised to be prepared to move to safe shelters if weather emergency alerts are issued.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) has declared an Overflow Action Day Alert for today. In light of the anticipated heavy rainfall, residents are advised to reduce water usage in municipal sewers by delaying showers and baths, flushing less frequently, and postponing running dishwashers or washing machines.

OEMC and City departments remind residents and visitors to heed all storm warnings, watches, and advisories; stay informed about safety tips; and utilize available resources during heat emergencies. Residents should have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, stay updated on forecasts, avoid flooded streets and paths, report flooding incidents to the National Weather Service or call 9-1-1 for emergencies.

Currently, there is citywide damage from fallen tree emergencies caused by high winds. Crews are addressing damage sustained from last night’s storms including a power outage on South Princeton from 47th to 55th Streets extending westward toward Shields Avenue. ComEd is working alongside OEMC and the Department of Buildings on-site efforts for power restoration.

Following two rounds of severe weather over the past weekend – which included wind gusts exceeding 60 mph and more than 10,000 lightning strikes – ComEd is preparing for another round this Monday evening with expected gusts up to 65 mph along with lightning and rain. ComEd has already restored over 130,000 outages out of more than 140,000 that occurred over the weekend. Additional crews will be deployed throughout today focusing first on critical facilities such as police stations, fire stations, nursing homes, and hospitals before attending repairs that will restore power to larger numbers of customers.

ComEd advises customers on safety precautions during severe weather:

· Report downed power lines immediately by calling ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1 (1-800-334-7661). Spanish-speaking customers can call 1-800-95-LUCES (1-800-955-8237).

· Never approach downed power lines; always assume they are dangerous.

· Do not approach ComEd crews working on live electrical equipment during outages as work zones may be hazardous.

Public safety remains a top priority for the City of Chicago. OEMC will continue monitoring conditions closely with the National Weather Service in Chicago and coordinate responses citywide should emergencies arise due to severe storms or extreme heat.

Residents can sign up for NotifyChicago alerts at NotifyChicago.org or receive TEXT alerts specific for lakefront notices by texting “CHILAKE” to 78015 or business-related alerts by texting “CHIBIZ” to 67283.

For enhanced safety preparedness information accessible via mobile devices, residents are encouraged to download the new Chicago OEMC App available through Apple App Store or Google Play Store providing emergency alerts among other resources at their fingertips.

Further information regarding emergency preparedness can be found at Chicago.gov/OEMC or through social media platforms: Facebook (@coemc), Twitter (@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911).