Sunday, November 16, 2014

Winter is coming ... and the city is getting ready

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-chicago-winter-readiness-20141115-story.html

With one of Chicago's first snowfalls of the winter expected Saturday night, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and city department officials delivered a simple message for surviving this winter: Limit your time outdoors and wear plenty of layers.
"Keep yourselves warm, get your flu shots," the mayor said. "And we'll make sure the roads are clear and salted."
After last year's winter, which Emanuel said had the "most extreme weather we've seen in decades," the city anticipates similar weather this year. Preparations, which began in the spring, included improving the city's Plow Tracker app -- which tracks real-time snowfall conditions on the Internet -- and creating an initiative to target landlords who fail to provide their tenants with sufficient heat.
The Chicago Heat Ordinance mandates landlords keep their rental units heated to at least 65 degrees during the day and 66 degrees during the night from Sept. 15 to June 1, said Felicia Davis, Department of Buildings commissioner.
Landlords who fail to provide tenants with adequate heating can be fined up to $500 a day, she said.
The city has 400,000 tons of salt on hand this winter, 115,000 tons more than last year. They also have 330 spreader vehicles and snowplows, said Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Charlie Williams.
During snowfall, main arterial streets such as Lake Shore Drive will be plowed first. Once snowfall stops and the main streets are plowed, the city will move on to smaller streets, Williams said.
The city reminds residents that an annual overnight parking ban on main arterial streets will be in effect from 3 to 7 a.m. Dec. 1 through April 1, regardless of whether or not there's snow.
The Office of Emergency Management and Communications advised Chicagoans to prepare emergency kits for their homes and vehicles, and to stock up on necessities in case of dangerous weather conditions.
"Whatever Mother Nature decides to throw at the city of Chicago, the city of Chicago is ready," Emanuel said.
The city also shared the following tips for residents:
• Residents should be cognizant of weather conditions and heed forecast warnings, wind chill advisories and winter storm watches.
• Residents should winterize their vehicles. Stalled vehicles during the winter can worsen driving conditions and make it more difficult for emergency vehicles to get around.
• Residents should check pipes in their homes and garage to make sure they're properly insulated and not exposed to freezing air. If pipes freeze, do not use candles or open flames to thaw them. Use a hair dryer or heating pad.
• Anyone without heat or in need of a shelter should call 311 immediately for assistance and transportation to a warming center. The Department of Family and Support Service operates six warming centers through Chicago from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The Garfield Community Service Center is open 24 hours a day.
• Residents should check on the well-being of friends and neighbors, especially seniors or those with disabilities. Residents should shovel sidewalks in front of their homes and businesses to ensure those with disabilities can travel safely.
• Residents should shovel around hydrants so firefighters can access them in the event of a fire.
• Residents can sign up for free text or email alerts from the OEMC at notifychicago.org.

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