To prepare for the storm, residents are encouraged to complete all shopping, travel, and other business by the end of Wednesday so they can minimize the number of times they need to leave their house during the severe winter storm.
The winter storm is expected to create whiteout conditions, potentially delaying holiday travel. It is strongly encouraged to delay any holiday traveling plans until after the storm passes to remain safe. When traveling, motorists should take extra precautions to winterize their vehicles and have necessary supplies on the go.
If traveling by air, check with your airline for any flight delays. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched an Airline Customer Service Dashboard earlier this year to increase transparency into what customers are owed when there are changes to flights. You can access an FAQ and that information by clicking here.
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Preparedness for Our Unhoused Neighbors
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Last week, I met with the Department of Family Support Services (DFSS) to discuss winter weather shelter plans for our unhoused neighbors. Yesterday, we met again to discuss how to keep our unhoused neighbors safe during the severe storm event. In November, 20 people at Touhy Park were connected with housing units. By the end of this week, 5 of those twenty people should be in their apartments. I have expressed my concerns over the delays in housing the remaining 15 people given the urgency of the situation to DFSS and All Chicago, the nonprofit doing the work. DFSS is working to secure additional hotel beds for individuals in the event shelters fill up during the winter weather emergency.
In addition, DFSS will have its Homeless Outreach and Prevention (HOP) teams conducting outreach throughout the city to connect individuals to warming centers and shelters. Teams will be out during the daytime as well as overnight connecting with individuals experiencing homelessness. DFSS will also supplement its well-being check staff to respond to requests to check on individuals. They will work with other City departments to execute well-being checks.
Last night, I visited the encampment at Touhy Park and disseminated a flyer encouraging people to engage with the HOP workers to secure shelter from the storm. The flyer also includes information on warming centers in the area. I also reached out to the Chicago Park District with a request to staff the Touhy Park field house so it could temporarily reopen as a warming center.
Myself and my team will be in close communication with DFSS and OEMC during the storm event and after to make sure that everyone seeking shelter has it.
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The City operates six warming centers that are open from 9 am to 5 pm. The Garfield warming center at 10 S. Kedzie will remain open 24 hours.
City facilities, including community centers, park field houses, libraries, and police stations also serve as warming centers. If you know someone who needs assistance, you can call 311 or our office to request a well-being check.
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Changes to Care for Real Food Pantry due to Winter Storm
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In anticipation of the dangerous weather predicted to arrive in Chicago on Thursday, Care for Real expects that they will be forced to close on Thursday and Friday in addition to scheduled holiday closures on Saturday and Monday. Care for Real recommends visiting its food distribution taking place Wednesday, Dec. 21 from 9 am-12 pm at 5339 N. Sheridan. Check for updates on social media and on www.careforreal.org.
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- Residents should know the signs and care of frostbite and hypothermia.
- Avoid unnecessary trips outside. If you must go out, limit the time you stay outside.
- Wear several layers of loose, warm clothing.
- Keep your head, hands, and feet covered when outdoors.
- Try to stay dry. Moisture can damage the insulating effectiveness of clothing.
- Pay attention to your daily needs: get enough sleep, eat high-energy foods, drink warm beverages to help your body stay warm, and avoid alcoholic beverages.
For additional information on emergency preparedness information, visit OEMC's website at chicago.gov/OEMC.
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Snow Plowing:
The Department of Streets and Sanitation oversees snowplowing of over 9,400 miles of roads throughout the City of Chicago and maintains a fleet of over 300 snow plows to respond to winter weather events. You can track snow plows throughout the city using the City's snowplow tracking website.
As a reminder, throughout the duration of a storm, plow trucks prioritize major arterial streets across the entire city. Once the storm has passed and all major arterial streets have been cleared, plow trucks will then shift to clear residential streets. This means that you might not see a plow truck on a residential street until some time on Saturday after the storm passes.
Many of the City's plow drivers are also drivers that collect refuse and recycling. Those drivers will be back on City recycling and garbage pickup services one-to-two days after the storm, which may result in some delays to garbage collection. Please make sure not to blow or shovel snow in front of your garbage and recycling bins so workers can easily access them.
Sidewalk Shoveling:
As a reminder to all residents and businesses, per the Municipal Code of Chicago, property owners and occupants are responsible for keeping sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Many of our neighbors rely on walking and public transportation as their primary way to get around the city. Without a wide, clear path through the snow and ice, it makes it difficult for pedestrians (especially people with disabilities, seniors, and children) to walk to their destination safely.
If you have a neighbor who needs assistance clearing the sidewalk, pitch in to help out! The 49th Ward also has a Snow Buddies volunteer program that helps connect volunteers to addresses that need a little extra help with snow removal in the winter. If you are interested in volunteering, please email office@49thward.org to sign up.
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Overnight Parking in Effect through April 1
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The City's winter overnight parking ban is in effect from December 1, 2022, through April 1, 2023, to ensure that Streets and Sanitation crews can quickly salt and plow streets during winter storms. The overnight bans are in effect from 3 am to 7 am, and signage is permanently posted along the affected routes. In the 49th Ward, Clark is a dedicated snow route. For a map of areas in the 49th Ward that have a 2-inch ban in effect, visit the 49th Ward's parking page by clicking here.
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