Heat wave takes over Chicago

Sweltering heat took over Chicago last week. An excessive heat watch was in effect from early last week through late Thursday afternoon with temperatures expected to reach between 105 and 110 degrees. The last time the city hit 100 degrees was in 2005.

The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) suggested residents should take extreme caution in regards to the weather and their health. Michael Masters, the director of DHSEM, added others needed to be looked after as well.

"Individuals should also be attentive to children and pets, as well as friends, neighbors or relatives who are elderly or live alone," he said. "Awareness of conditions will allow all residents to minimize the effects of the weather that we are currently facing."

Sergeant Holford of DePaul's Public Safety also had some suggestions for students around campus.

"Stay hydrated, number one, look for signs of heat exhaustion, and check weather channel for ideas," he said. "If you start feeling nauseous, or have cold clammy skin, get out of the heat. Those are all signs of heat exhaustion."

Despite the heat, DePaul community members could still be seen outside.

"It's summer in Chicago, it's going to be hot," senior David Elliot said. "It's much better than the winter. You just have to stay hydrated, if you get hot, go inside and cool off. Obviously don't stay outside all day, but it's summer, you should be outside having fun."

Others, however, felt much different about the intense heat.

"I haven't left my house all day. It's too hot. I'd rather just be in my house and be cool," senior Arielle Mills said.

The heat also caused delays for CTA trains and power outages. On Thursday, CTA officials advised riders there would be significant delays on the Red Line due to track problems near the Cermak-Chinatown station caused by excessive heat. On Wednesday, about 2,000 Lakeview residents were without electricity for about two hours.

Officials quickly responded to the incidents in order to ensure safety. Despite quick response and several extreme heat warnings, seven deaths in Cook County are attributed to the heat. Heat Stroke and Heat stress were the listed as the contributing factors.

Compared to previous Chicago heat waves, that number is relatively low. At least 80 people died in the July 1999 heat wave. Four years earlier, in 1995, a July heat wave killed more than 700 people in Cook County. That heat wave led to multiple changes as to how the city handles extreme heat.

Thunderstorms are expected to diminish the extreme heat. The weather should "cool off" into the low 90's and high 80's for the rest of the weekend.