In July 1995, high temperatures combined with record-breaking humidity levels broke weather records in urban areas. Chicago was worst hit with heat index readings of 119 °F (48 °C) at O'Hare airport, and 125 °F (52 °C) at Midway Airport.
There were numerous heat-related deaths and illnesses due to residents not heeding warnings or not being able to keep their residences at a tolerable temperature.
Effects of the 1995 Heat Wave in Chicago
In the Midwest, Chicago had the highest number of deaths in the heat wave. According to a report issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,"During July 12-16, 1995, Chicago experienced unusually high maximum daily temperatures, ranging from 93 F to 104 F (33.9 C to 40.0 C). On July 13, the heat index peaked at 119 F (48.3 C) a record high for the city. During July 11-27, 465 deaths were certified as heat-related."
In Chicago, many of the city streets buckled and train rails warped. This made some roadways impassible and disrupted commuter rail and freight services. Heat caused problems on bridges because the expansion plates had locked. As a result, bridges had to be watered.
Emergency rooms at hospitals were overcrowded and some had stopped accepting new patients. The morgue was filled to capacity and bodies of the deceased were kept in refrigerated trucks. The fire department opened over 2,000 hydrants but firemen were pelted with rocks when they returned to close them.
Why Heat Waves are More Severe in Cities
During a heat wave, an urban heat island is formed in cities. This occurs when pavement and buildings absorb heat during the day and emit less heat at night. As a result, urban areas become hotter than rural areas and temperatures show little fluctuation.
During a heat wave, there is a risk of a temperature inversion occurring when there is a lack of wind. Polluted and humid air that is lying at ground level becomes trapped. Without wind to stir up the air, the quality of the air on the ground becomes extremely poor and temperatures become hotter.
In cities, the demand on electricity rises during a heat wave because people are increasing their usage of air conditioners and fans. Power failures occur more often due to overloaded grids.
People are more apt to keep windows closed in order to prevent break-ins resulting in dwellings becoming too hot to support human life. Elderly people are the most affected because they have a tendency to stay indoors and are more predisposed to heart ailments and respiratory problems.
Poorer residents in cities are unable to afford air conditioners and fans or are in fear of not being able to afford their electrical bill if additional appliances are used.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend the following precautions in order to reduce the effects of extreme heat:
- Spend more time in air-conditioned areas.
- Increase intake of non-alcoholic beverages.
- Take frequent baths in cool water.
- Restrict physical exertion to the cooler parts of the day.
- Minimize exposure to the sun.
- Wear loose and light cotton clothing.
- Allow two weeks to get acclimatized to high temperatures if required to work or participate in sports in hot environments.
Lessons Learned from the 1995 Chicago Heat Wave
Eric Klinenberg, author of Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago, in an interview with Chicago Press stated there were lessons learned from the 1995 heat wave.
He said, "In 1999, when Chicago experienced another severe heat wave, the city issued strongly worded warnings and press releases to the media, opened cooling centers and provided free bus transportation to them, phoned elderly residents, and sent police officers and city workers door-to-door to check up on seniors who lived alone. As a result, the number of heat-related deaths in Chicago in 1999 was only 110."
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