Friday Flashback: The 1995 Heat Wave

By Karl Klockars in Miscellaneous on Jul 11, 2008 6:00PM

The 90 degree temps projected for today are the hottest we've had in a while, and the added threat of thunderstorms adds a mugginess factor that we're unfortunately used to, but it could always be a lot worse. Back in 1995, as you'll remember, it was. Temps soared to triple digits just over 13 years ago today starting on July 12, and continued through the 16. They stayed in the upper 70s and low 80s throughout the night, making it tough to cool off, and humidity stayed extremely high as well. The heat index topped out at nearly 120 at O'Hare, and 125 degrees at Midway by the time it was all over with.

The eventual cool came too late for hundreds across the city, however. In the wake of the high temperatures, an estimated 600 people passed away due to the heat - a number that's still argued about. Since then, we've learned about things like "urban heat islands" and heard plenty of reminders about city cooling centers, but at the time the city just wasn't prepared for the mortality that such extreme temperatures brought with it. The city was forced to use refrigerated trailers as morgues as the deaths piled up.

WGN TV has a short video flashback about the heat wave, which is barely the tip of the iceberg - but CBS 2 has a 1995 report in their video Archive - search for "vault heat wave" and you'll find it.

Hydrant photo from ankylosaur