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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
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That was a truly scary summer. My family had an air conditioner in the front room window and we taped up sheets to keep the room extra cool. At one point my aunt and mother kept my cousins and I in that room (almost by force of arms) because of how intense the heat got.
The elderly woman above us got picked up by family and taken out of town. I remember how weird it was when all the deaths came to light, this nice old woman had joked "If you don't hear me up there, don't worry, I didn't kick the bucket or anything"
Eric Klinenberg book Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago is really compelling reading on the topic.
sure dosent feel that hot downtown. Can't wait to get back to the square where its warmer with out the lake breez.
Oh and how cool is it to be able to call your hood, the square! Funny I never thought I would end up being a home owner in the hipest hood in Chicago! F*cking Par tay man, Par F*cking Tay!
I drove past the medical examiner's building that week.
Bodies were being wheeled to the overflow storage area in the parking lot, where several LaGrou meat trucks were parked and used for body storage.
LaGrou claimed that they wouldn't use those particular trucks at the Taste or elsewhere. Hmmm, I wonder if they kept that pledge!
logan square = overrated
All I remember of that summer was a bathtub full of ice from 7-Eleven, a bottle of wine, some Bob Marley on the stereo and some other medicines to get through.
spook: the "Partay" is in the fourth-most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the city. You live in a lily-white neighborhood.
My summer camp made us play outside that year...but I guess that's what you get from YMCA camp.