County Code Blue Extended Through Saturday

The Camden County Department of Health and Human Services has extended its Code Blue through Saturday morning.

After issuing an initial Code Blue advisory for Monday night, additional advisories have been issued for the following times:

* 6 p.m. Tuesday night through 7 a.m. Wednesday morning;

* 6 p.m. Thursday night through 7 a.m. Friday morning; and

* 6 p.m. Friday night through 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

“When the Camden County Health Officer declares a Severe Weather Emergency, municipalities with homeless populations, situational homeless or transient populations are expected to activate their Code Blue response plan to accommodate their immediate needs,” Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Health Department, said. “With treacherous weather on the way, we need everyone to be sheltered and out of the elements.”

The additional dates became necessary due to a forecast that calls for sleet and freezing rain after 10 p.m. Tuesday night. The sleet could accumulate before changing to rain Wednesday morning.

With temperatures hovering around 32 degrees, icy conditions will continue to be a concern tomorrow.

Each municipality has identified its own location to accommodate those in their community seeking shelter from the severe weather. Those seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality.

“During these weather emergencies, we encourage everyone to check on elderly or handicapped relatives and neighbors that live alone,” Rodriguez said.  “It is important that most vulnerable among us are not left without heat or electricity.”