The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services issued a release on Thursday afternoon, advising municipalities that the region will be under a Code Blue Alert beginning tonight, Feb. 27, from 7 p.m. until tomorrow morning, Feb. 28, at 7 a.m.
The alert will resume Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, evenings beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 7 a.m. each following morning.
“Throughout this period overnight temperatures are expected to stay in the mid- to high-20s, giving the region its first prolonged cold stretch in weeks,” County freeholder Carmen Rodriguez said.
“In cold like this, 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.”
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.
