Alsip, Crestwood Brace For Arctic Cold: What You Need To Know

ALSIP-CRESTWOOD, IL -- A dangerous and life-threatening arctic air blast is expected to arrive this week delivering some of coldest weather in recent memory. The National Weather Service has issued a windchill warning in effect from 6 p.m. Jan. 29 to noon Jan. 30. Temperatures are expected to plummet to -13, with wind chills as low as -55. The dangerous cold can cause frostbite and hyperthermia within four minutes.

The good news is that by Super Bowl Sunday, it’s going to feel downright balmy with temps predicted in the 40s. Break out the shorts. Meanwhile, here’s some helpful info on Alsip and Crestwood’s preparations to keep residents safe and the villages running smoothly during the polar vortex.

• Republic Services, has canceled garbage pickup on Wednesday, Jan. 30, due to the extreme cold. Wednesday’s normally scheduled pickup will now take place on Thursday; Thursday’s pickup will take place on Friday.
• Worth Township, 11601 S. Pulaski Road, Alsip, will serve as a warming center from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Transportation will NOT be provided.
• The Crestwood Public Library will close at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, and will reopen at noon Thursday, Jan. 31.

• Call 911 if you’re in distress or to request a well-being check for a family member or neighbor. You’re not bothering the police or fire department.
• BEDS Plus is the designated overnight shelter provider serving homeless people in Worth Township, which includes Oak Lawn. BEDS Plus will be running buses to its day-support center at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church, Heaney Hall, 11005 South 76th Ave., Worth; 708-354-0858. If you know of someone living outside or without heat, call BEDS Plus’ 24/7 emergency number at 708-354-0858. Call 911 immediately if you see someone outside in danger of cold exposure.
• Do not use open gas flames from your stove or oven to heat up your house. Be mindful of space heaters.
• Don’t leave children or pets alone inside your cold car.
• Keep pets indoors. Take your dog out long enough to do his/her business and bring them back inside. Now is also the time to insulate your secret feral cat community.
• Check on elderly and/or disabled neighbors. See if they need something at the store Tuesday before the wicked cold weather arrives.
• Keep gas tanks full in vehicles.
• Run water at a trickle in faucets and open cabinets under sinks to keep pipes from freezing. You may also want to run dishwasher before bedtime to keep water flowing.

~ Image via Shutterstock