Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, advises that Camden County will be under a Code Blue Alert tonight, Jan. 7, from 7 p.m. to Wednesday morning, Jan. 8, at 7 a.m., and Wednesday evening from 7 p.m. to Thursday morning, Jan. 9, at 7 a.m.
“Over the next 48 hours, temperatures in our region are forecasted to dip into the low 30s and 20s during overnight hours, while a mix of wet winter weather brings precipitation overnight into Wednesday,” Rodriguez said.
“In conditions like these, we want to place extra emphasis on the importance of getting everyone sheltered and out of the elements, 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.”
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.
