Warming Centers Around Frankfort Prepare For Brutal Cold

FRANKFORT, IL — Warming centers are now open in the area, and officials around the South Suburbs are advising residents to take the proper precautions after the National Weather Service issued a wind chill advisory for Wednesday for Cook and Will counties. The dangerously frigid conditions, as well as a chance of snow, are expected to continue through the week and into the weekend, according to the weather agency.

The advisory will be in effect from midnight until 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 27, and it means cold air and wind will combine to create wind chills from 15 below zero to 25 below zero, the NWS stated in an alert Tuesday night. Wind chills that cold can cause frostbite and hypothermia can occur.

Because of that, warming centers throughout Cook and Will counties will now be open so that residents without access to heat can stay safe during the brutal cold. The following list shows the facilities in and around Frankfort, including the hours they will be open, according to the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Will County Emergency Management Agency.

Frankfort

Frankfort Village Hall, 432 W. Nebraska St. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, with additional hours by request. Call 815-469-2177.

Tinley Park

• Tinley Park Senior Center, 17355 S. 68th Court. Hours by request. Call 708-444-5300.
• Tinley Park Police Department, 7850 W. 183rd St. Hours by request. Call 708-444-5300.

Bremen Township

• Bremen Youth Services, 15350 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Forest. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.
• Bremen Township offices, 16361 S. Kedzie Pkwy., Markham. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Mokena

Mokena Public Library, 11327 W. 195th St. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Call 708-479-9663.

Orland Park

Orland Township offices, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. Call 708-403-4222 in advance.

Palos Hills

Palos Township offices, 10802 S. Roberts Road. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays.

Rich Township

Rich Township offices, 22013 Governors Hwy., Richton Park. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

For more information about Will County warming centers, go to that county's EMA website. For more details about Cook County facilities, go to that county's website.

Tollway Help

During the cold weather conditions, the Illinois Tollway's 24-hour Zero Weather Road Patrols will be in effect to help stranded drivers. Drivers along the tollway can call *999 for help if their vehicle becomes disabled in the frigid conditions.

Cold Weather Safety Tips

Local authorities encourage residents to take the following precautions in order to stay safe and warm in the frigid conditions:

• Don't use an oven for heat.
• Don't use charcoal or gas grills indoors because they are a carbon monoxide hazard.
• Keep portable heaters unplugged when not in use.
• Electric space heaters need to be used with extreme caution and should not be placed near curtains or other flammable materials. They also should be turned off before going to sleep.
• Keep homes warm or leave water faucets running with a slight drip to prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep moving while outside so your body generates its own heat.
• Make sure your cellphone is fully charged while traveling.
• Keep tires properly inflated and make sure your car's gas tank is at least half full.
• A car's cold weather safety kit should include gloves, blankets, road flares and a flashlight.

Go to the Cook County Department of Homeland Security’s website for more tips and information.

Upcoming Forecast

Along with Wednesday's wind chill advisory, the National Weather Service is predicting the following conditions for Cook and Will counties through Monday, Jan. 1:

• Wednesday: Significant excessive cold risk, limited snow risk
• Thursday: Elevated excessive cold Risk and elevated snow risk
• Friday: Significant excessive cold risk and limited snow risk
• Saturday: Significant excessive cold risk
• Sunday: Elevated excessive cold risk
• Monday: Elevated excessive cold risk

Go to the NWS website for more information about the upcoming forecast.

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