The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center will close all non-essential programming and services on Wednesday, January 30 and Thursday, January 31 due to extreme cold temperatures and windchills forecasted to impact the Lake County area.

The following select essential programming at the Health Department will remain open during the emergency closing:

• Addictions Treatment Program (ATP)
• Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA)
• Crisis Care Program (CCP) / Respite
• Mental Health Group Home
• Women’s Residential Services (WRS)

Select programming will re-open on Thursday, January 31 to follow State requirements (e.g., methadone clinic).

Wind chills between -45 to -55 degrees and temperatures significantly below zero are expected. Temperatures this cold can cause frostbite to exposed skin in as little as five minutes and can cause other life-threatening situations. The Health Department joins other Lake County agencies in a decision to close after careful evaluation of these dangerous conditions. Ultimately, the safety of community members and employees outweighs the inconvenience of a minor disruption in services. Closing government offices will keep additional people off the road, hopefully easing the burden on emergency responders who will be working around the clock to keep community members safe during this extreme weather event.

The Health Department encourages residents to dress in layers if they must go outside and to keep pets and animals inside. Lake County has created a webpage for residents to access information on health and safety tips, warming center locations, and snow plow operations during the extreme cold weather. The Health Department also recommends following the National Weather Service for the latest weather updates. In case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.