Continued frigid weather, messy weekend commute on tap for region
The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, advises municipalities that the county will be under a Code Blue Alert Sunday night through Tuesday morning.
The Health Officer issued the Code Blue Alert for Camden County effective from 7 p.m. on Jan. 20 until 7 a.m. on Jan. 22.
“We are expecting extremely dangerous temperatures that are not expected to rise above the teens. During these extreme conditions, we need everyone to be sheltered and protected from the elements,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez said. “If you must leave the house, please dress yourself and your children in warm clothing, hats and gloves. Also, please remember to check on elderly relatives and neighbors, and bring your pets indoors.”
When the Camden County Health Officer declares a Code Blue, municipalities with homeless populations, situational homeless or transient populations are expected to activate their Code Blue response plan to accommodate their immediate needs.
“During these dangerous weather conditions, we encourage everyone to check on elderly or handicapped relatives and neighbors that live alone,” Rodriguez said. “It is important that the most vulnerable among us are not left without heat or electricity.”
With more than 75 percent of households in Camden County owning a cat or a dog Rodriguez wants to ensure that all pets are safe during these extreme temperatures as well.
When the thermometer dips below 32 degrees, keep your pet indoors as much as possible. If your pet must stay outside, provide a warm shelter, raised a few inches off the ground, with the opening facing away from the wind and covered with a burlap or plastic flap. The shelter should be large enough for the animal to stand and turn around, but small enough to retain its body heat.
The Camden County Health Department and the Office of Emergency Management have worked with each municipality to ensure they have the proper resources to respond to these severe weather situations as part of their individual Code Blue plans. Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather.
Additional resources are available by calling the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services at (800) 999–9045, or by visiting www.camdencounty.com.
