City of Chicago officials provide guidelines to keep residents safe as extremely frigid temperatures and high winds continue

Published on : Tuesday, January 7, 2014

ChicagoMayor Rahm Emanuel and City of Chicago officials provided an update on the City’s response to the extremely cold temperatures that arrived in Chicago overnight, after days of snowfall and blowing snow. A coordinated citywide response continues to focus on keeping residents – especially those most vulnerable – safe and warm during the extreme cold temperatures.
“Our city is confronting some of the most extreme weather we’ve seen in decades – and it’s clear that Chicagoans are rising to the challenge,” said Mayor Emanuel. “I ask everyone to keep exercising good judgment and remain indoors if at all possible, to take the warnings and advisories seriously, and to check on the well-being of family, friends, and neighbors.”
Multiple departments and agencies are working to provide a constant assessment of the situation across the city to ensure the safety of residents as Chicago continues to feel the impact of the extremely cold temperatures and snow accumulation.
“I want to thank all of the city workers for their efforts to make sure our city keeps moving and our residents have access to vital city services when needed most. And most of all, I want to thank all Chicagoans for their patience and cooperation,” added Mayor Emanuel.
“We remind residents to take precautions and to call 311 and we will connect you to City services and resources for assistance,” said Gary Schenkel, Executive Director of the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
The Department of Streets and Sanitation continues to monitor road conditions and has deployed the full fleet of more than 280 snow plows and salt spreaders, 26 smaller four-wheel plows and 30 quick hitch plows attached to garbage trucks to remove snow and spread salt ensuring streets are safe for motorists and emergency vehicles.
The City of Chicago has already received more than 34 inches of snow this winter, including almost 23 inches since December 26.
“Snow removal vehicles continue to work non-stop as blowing snow and freezing temperatures impact Chicago roads,” said Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Charles L. Williams. “We are focused on ensuring main arteries remain clear and safe for motorists and emergency vehicles, while also plowing side and residential streets to make them safe and passable for residents.”
The City’s first priority with every snow program is to ensure arterial streets are clear and safe. Plows will continue to plow side and residential streets, but conditions on Chicago’s side streets may vary with the volume of snow and high winds that occurred with the recent weather system. Vehicles will work quickly and safely to make side and residential streets safe and passable.

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