Dangerously cold weather is expected Monday and Tuesday, bringing single-digit temperatures to Northwest Indiana and Northern Illinois accompanied by negative wind chills of -20 degrees or worse.
The National Weather Service’s Cold Weather Advisory went into effect 6 p.m. Sunday and was expected to last into Monday afternoon.
Temperatures aren’t expected to get higher than 10 degrees on Monday, the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, with a low of -5 degrees forecast of Monday night. Tuesday may be even colder as a high of 5 degrees is expected.
Double-digit temperatures are expected to return on Wednesday with a high of 22 degrees, according to the NWS forecast.
The bitter cold is especially dangerous as wind chills as low as 20 to 25 degrees below zero are expected and can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes, the NWS advisory stated.
While cold snaps aren’t uncommon at some point in the winter, NWS meteorologist Kevin Doom. said these temperatures are much lower than the typical 31 degrees this time of year. The forecast shows wind gusts of 15 to 20 miles per hour Sunday and Monday.
“If you have to go outside, make sure you’re bundling up,” Doom said. “This definitely isn’t the kind of cold to mess around with.”
The weather service recommended wearing appropriate clothing outdoors, including a hat and gloves. It also encouraged people to keep pets indoors as much as possible and to make frequent checks on older family, friends and neighbors.
School delays
Most schools are off Monday for the federal holiday. Gary Community School Corp. has already announced a two-hour delay on Tuesday in expectation of needing temperatures to warm up enough to allow buses to start.
When wind chills drop below freezing, various communities open warming shelters.
In Valparaiso, the YMCA, located at 1201 Cumberland Crossing will be open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.. on Monday through Friday. The Valparaiso Branch of the Porter County Public Library, located at 103 Jefferson St., is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; and CoAction, located at 2001 Calumet Ave., is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those who need special help during weather emergencies should register themselves or a loved one for the Contact Assistance Referral (CARE) Program by emailing Natalie Kasberger at nkasberger@valpopd.com or (219) 462-2135.
In East Chicago, Riley Hall, located at 1005 E. Chicago Ave., will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
In Gary, the warming centers have two categories: Women, Children and Family Shelters and Men’s Shelters. In the first category, the Calumet Township Multi-Purpose Center, located at 1900 W. 41st Ave., will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Ambridge-Mann Community Center, located at 2822 W. Fourth Ave., will be open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.; and Missionaries of Charity, located at 509 W. Ridge Road, will be open, but call (219) 884-2140 for hours of operation. As for the Men’s Shelters, Brother’s Keeper, located at 2120 Broadway, will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Restoration House Shelter for Men, located at 1365 Taney St., will be open, but call (219) 427-1587 for hours of operation; and Serenity House, located at 5157 Harrison St., will be open, but call for (219) 980-1955 for hours of operation.
In Hammond, Claude Street Transitional Housing (for women & children), located at 5515 Claude Ave., will be open, but call (219) 933-7013 for hours of operation, and Rescue Mission Shelter for Men, located at 527 State St., will be open, but call for (219) 932-2085 for hours of operation.
Emergency kit
In this weather, residents are advised to put together emergency kits, including rock salt or another product to melt ice on walkways, sand to improve traction, a shovel, sufficient heating fuel, adequate clothing and blankets to keep warm, a weather radio, minimize travel, bring animals inside, and create a family communication plan, the NWS stated.
When shoveling snow, avoid overexerting yourself as it can cause heart attacks, according to the American Heart Association.
Drivers should try to travel during the day and avoid traveling alone, inform others of your schedule, and stick to main roads and avoid shortcuts.
Travel with emergency supplies including a cell phone car charger; first-aid kit; extra blankets, hats, gloves and coats; plenty of drinking water and non-perishable snacks for passengers, including pets; flashlight and extra batteries; reflective warning triangles; and an ice scraper or snow brush, according to AAA.
Safety tips
NIPSCO advises residents to clear snow and ice from intake and exhaust vents, which can help avoid carbon monoxide buildup and help appliances operate well. Space heaters, which are a source of winter home fires, should be used with caution, on hard surfaces and anything flammable should be at least three feet away. Do not burn charcoal or run a generator indoors. Never use a stove or oven as a source of heat. Meters should be clear and visible in case maintenance is required.
Frozen pipes can cause pipes to burst during extreme cold events. Let faucets drip, especially those adjacent to an exterior wall, according to the American Red Cross.
Chimneys should be cleaned and checked for blockage at least once a year before using your fireplace, NIPSCO stated in a rellease
If you smell any “rotten egg” odor of natural gas or think there may be a gas leak, stop what you are doing, leave the area immediately, and then call 911 and the NIPSCO emergency line at 1-800-634-3524. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, irregular breathing, and feeling ill or tired while at home, but fine when away.
For more winter weather and home safety tips, visit nipsco.com/winter.
To find out more about the resources available to help you manage your energy bill and pay down past due balances, call NIPSCO at 1-800-464-7726 or visit nipsco.com/assistance.
The Chicago Tribune contributed.
