Camden County’s Department of Health and Human Services revealed on Thursday that the region will be under a Code Blue Alert for Friday, Feb. 14, from 7 p.m. to Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7 a.m., then again on the 15th from 7 p.m. to Sunday, Feb. 16, at 7 a.m.
“This weekend will see the return of very frigid conditions, with temperatures expected to reach into the low teens on Friday night, and into the high 20s overnight Saturday,” said Camden County freeholder Carmen Rodriguez.
“Overexposure to this kind of cold can be dangerous, so we are continuing to emphasize the importance of getting everyone indoors and out of the cold, checking on elderly relatives and neighbors and bringing 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.
“Even inside, cold conditions can be especially dangerous for vulnerable members of our community, and we encourage everyone to check on elderly or handicapped relatives and neighbors that live alone,” Rodriguez added.
“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.
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.
Persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality.
New after-hours Code Blue Emergency Hotline phone number: 2-1-1.
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.
