Severe weather is a fact of life in this
area. In the past 40 years, 96 Illinoisans have been killed by
lightning. And just last year nine died and 23 were injured
as some 80 tornadoes touched down across the region. But there
are steps you can take to be prepared for severe weather. Here
are a few tips from the Oak Park Fire Department:
• Have a
weather radio to alert you when a severe thunderstorm or
tornado watch or warning is issued. A watch means that severe
weather is possible. A warning means it is occurring.
• Sirens
are activated when tornadoes, dangerous thunderstorms or heavy
wind and rainstorms threaten the Village. When you hear the
siren, take cover and listen to a radio or television for
further direction.
• Check the
weather forecast before going outdoors for an extended amount
of time.
• During a
thunderstorm shut all windows and doors, draw the shades or
blinds, monitor your radio or television for the latest
information, and avoid using the telephone, electrical
appliances, air conditioner and shower until after the storm
passes. If driving, pull to the shoulder away from trees and
power lines. If outside where there is no immediate shelter,
find a low spot away from trees and power poles.
• Be
prepared for a tornado by identifying the best location in your
home or office for shelter. A basement or cellar will provide
the most protection, but an interior room or hallway on the
lowest level will work, too. Stay away from windows, doors and
outside walls.
• Take
cover in your predetermined shelter or hallway when a tornado
warning is issued, when sirens are activated or when a tornado
has been sighted near your area.
• Get under
a piece of sturdy furniture and hold onto it while using
pillows, mattresses or cushions to protect your head and neck.
If outside with no shelter nearby, lie in a ditch, culvert or
low-lying area.
• Never try
to out run a tornado in a vehicle or park under a bridge or
underpass. Get out of the vehicle and lie in a ditch, culvert
or low-lying area away from the vehicle.
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Oak Park's three emergency sirens
are tested at 10:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday
of every month.
A computer-generated land use sketch of the
Whiteco project as viewed
from Harlem Avenue. The structure to the rear of the project represents the
existing Holley Court Terraces building.
existing Holley Court Terraces building.
With the approval of its new mixed-use
development at Harlem Avenue and Ontario Street, Whiteco Residential LLC is
making good on its pledge to the community to fast track the
main parking feature of the plan. Architects already have begun
designing the western expansion of the Holley Court Garage, a
project that will create 300 new parking spaces and more than
make up for the surface lot spaces that eventually will be lost
to the new development. The expansion also should help mitigate
the loss of public parking that will occur if the privately
owned lot on Marion Street behind Bank One is developed by its
owner, as well as add to the overall supply in the downtown
business district. A second expansion planned for the Holley
Court Garage as part of the overall development project will
add another 200-plus parking spaces to north side of the
current structure. The Whiteco development, which won
overwhelming support from the citizen volunteers of the Plan
Commission and the Village Board, will include a 14-story
apartment building, six townhouses and 14,100 square feet of
retail space. A Trader Joe's specialty market is expected to fill
most of the retail space. Construction on the garage expansion
could begin as early as June, and be completed by October or
November. Work on the residential and retail components of the
project is expected to take about two years to complete. For
more information, call 358.5640 or email devsvcs@oak-park.us.