Dangerous Heat On Way: Alsip-Crestwood Cooling Centers

ALSIP-CRESTWOOD—Get ready for the big heat. The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning in effect Friday through Saturday evening. Thursday’s rain delayed the heat’s arrival, but the heat wave is expected to arrive Friday and hang around until about 7 p.m. Saturday.

An excessive heat watch means that a prolonged period of high temperatures is expected. The combination of high temperatures and high humidity will combine to create a dangerous situation in which heat-related illnesses are possible. Expect afternoon highs in the mid to upper 90s and low 80s in the evening on Friday and Saturday. Peak heat Indices will be in the 105 to 110 degree range, according to the National Weather Service.

So check on elderly and disabled family, friends and neighbors. Have plenty of water on hand for your pets and keep them inside or in shaded shelter, and keep an eye on young children. Call 911 if you think someone needs a well-being check and you can’t make it there yourself, or spot someone in distress on the street. And cheer up, six months ago we were in the middle of a polar vortex.

If your power goes out or your air conditioner breaks, here are cooling centers where you can go to beat the heat around Alsip-Crestwood area:

Crestwood Recreation and Wellness Center
5331 W. 135th St., Crestwood
Monday-Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.;
Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Crestwood Public Library
4955 W. 135th St.
Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Sunday
Alsip Village Hall
4500 W. 123rd St.
Alsip-Merrionette Park Library
11960 South Pulaski Road, Alsip
Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;
Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Illinois Department of Human Services
3301 Wireton Rd. Blue Island

The Cook County Department of Homeland Security also has a list of cooling centers, which may open on a 24/7 basis if needed.

If your power goes out, you can report the electrical outage online, including on your smartphone or tablet. Or if you prefer, call ComEd 24/7 at 1-800-Edison-1 (1-800-334-7661). You may also use one of these methods to report and/or track an outage.
Report an outage online
Report an outage via text and social media

Feeling hot? Cool off by looking at this picture of the polar vortex taken on Jan. 30, 2019.