Lollapalooza, City Tweak Emergency Plan

Efforts made to provide better communication in case of evacuation

The last couple of years at Lollapalooza have taught festival-goers to expect anything when it comes to the weather.

In 2011, a quick-moving rainstorm on the festival's last day deluged Grant Park and turned the grounds into a mud pit. But last year, things were even more serious, as severe weather caused the evacuation of 60,000 fans from the festival grounds.

SPECIAL SECTION: Lollapalooza 2013

Many of those evacuated fans crowded into nearby hotels and restaurants, but according to the Chicago Tribune, the city is working with Lollapalooza to direct people to the slated emergency locations, the three underground Michigan Avenue parking garages.

City officials say that communication needs to be better, and that city workers will be in place to direct people to the garages as they're leaving Grant Park and visible public blue and white signage will direct people to designated extreme weather shelters.

The three primary emergency evacuation shelter sites are: 

  • Grant Park North Garage - enter through vehicle entrance on Michigan Avenue
  • Grant Park South Garage - enter through vehicle entrance on Michigan Avenue
  • East Monroe Street Garage - enter through vehicle entrance on Michigan Avenue

Last week proved to be challenging for a handful of concerts in Chicago due to the threat of severe weather. Wrigley Field was evacuated, causing a several-hour delay for the Pearl Jam concert, the Phish concert at Northerly Island was cut short as was Bjork's set at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park.

Lollapalooza organizers told the Tribune that video screens at the festival will also broadcast information in case of emergency weather.

Contact Us