Lake Michigan storms created turbulent waters that overturned at least seven sailboats Sunday.
The bad weather struck about 11:30 a.m., Chicago police said, taking out seven of 10 boats competing in a race north of Belmont Harbor. No one was injured in the event, sponsored by the Chicago Yacht Club, and no boats had significant damage, club officials said.
Race organizers said they moved the event’s course closer to shore knowing that the hot and humid weather could create turbulent conditions. Yacht club officials halted the race once they were aware of the impending storm.
“Unfortunately, the weather hit, and the boats turned over,” yacht club spokeswoman Christie Kirchner said.
Rescuers from the yacht club, and the Chicago Police and Fire Departments “secured the boats on the water and brought people off the water. Everybody was fine,” Kirchner said.
Fourteen people were rescued, Chicago Police Officer Kristina Schuler said.
A couple of miles up the lake, David Oliva of Villa Park spotted ominous clouds and decided to leave Oak Street Beach. But while walking away, he spotted several overturned kayaks.
The 3- to 4-foot waves were too much for the novice kayakers, said Oliva, a trained lifeguard. He and two other lifeguards leapt into the water to help.
“The storm came through and brought through a huge stroke of waves,” Oliva said. “There was no way they were going anywhere with those. … It worked out good that I stayed out there then.”
Meanwhile, city officials worked to ensure the safety of seniors and others vulnerable to the scorching temperatures.
“The biggest thing is to get into a cool place,” said Sheryl McGill, commissioner of the city Department of Human Services. “If you know of people that are senior, elderly, disabled, have health complications, call and check on them. If you’re not able to get to them, call 311 and we’ll send out a team to check on them.”
McGill’s advice Sunday echoed what officials have said as they attempt to stave off a disaster similar to what occurred in the summer of 1995 when 733 people, most of them seniors, died amid extreme heat.
There were no heat-related deaths as of Sunday evening, officials said. The Chicago area has had seven so far this year.
The Department of Human Services conducted 63 well-being checks Sunday, with three people requiring medical attention at hospitals, said Kevin Smith, spokesman for the Office of Emergency Management and Communications.
The Fire Department took 13 people to hospitals because of the heat.
Sunday’s high temperature at O’Hare International Airport was 90 degrees, but the heat index reached 97, according to the National Weather Service. Monday’s highs are expected to be between 97 and 99 degrees, with a heat index that could hit 107.
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trybarczyk@tribune.com
