City Issues Heat Advisory Through Friday

Editor's Note: Updated at 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, to include information about cooling centers open during the Fourth of July parade.

City officials warn residents to take precautions as a heat wave sweeps through Evanston this week. 

The health department has issued a heat advisory lasting from 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, through late Friday, July 6. Opressive heat is expected to blanket the area during that time, with temperatures reaching nearly 100 degrees and heat indices as high as 107, according to a release from the city. 

The National Weather Service predicts that temperatures in Evanston will peak at 98 degrees on Tuesday, 100 degrees on the Fourth of July, 95 degrees on Thursday and 99 degrees on Friday. By Saturday, the heat is expected to break, when the National Weather Service predicts a high of 84 degrees.

While heat illness can strike anyone, infants, the elderly, people with a mental illness and anyone who is physically ill—particularly with heart disease or high blood pressure—is at increased risk, Thomas said. 

Residents without air conditioning may also visit one of several designated cooling centers in the city on Tuesday, July 3. On the Fourth of July, the city will open two extra cooling centers at the North Branch Library and at the sire station on Central Street, so parade-goers can get out of the heat. The city's utilities department will also set up drinking water stations at , at the southeast corner of Prairie and Central and at Broadway north of Central.

Cooling Centers Open on July 3:

• Chandler-Newberger Center at 1028 Central St., open until 7 p.m.
•  at 2024 McCormick Blvd., open until 5 p.m.
•  at 1655 Foster St., open until 9 p.m.
•  at 927 Noyes St., open until 7 p.m.
•  at 300 Dodge Ave., open until 5 p.m.
•  at 1701 Main St., open until midnight.

Cooling Centers Open July 4:

• at 2026 Central Street, open noon to 5 p.m.
• Fire Station 5 at 2830 Central Street, open noon to 5 p.m.

The city offered the following tips for staying safe during the heat:

• Drink more fluids (non-alcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, as they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. During a heat emergency, information about local cooling shelters will be posted online or can be found by calling 3-1-1.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.