Camden County will be under “Code Blue” through Thursday morning.
The Health Officer issued the Code Blue advisory for Camden County effective from 6 p.m. on the evenings of Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 through 7 a.m. the following day.
“It will continue to be bitterly cold this week. The low temperatures combined with the wind chill make it dangerous to be outside for extended periods of time. We need everyone to be sheltered and out of the elements during this severe weather,” Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez said. “Before leaving 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 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.
Across Camden County, two to three inches of snow has fallen. Clouds will linger throughout the day and will temperatures will not rise above the mid 20s. Tonight, 5 to 10 mile per hour winds will be out of the northwest and temperatures will hover in the teens. An upper level disturbance will swing through tomorrow with the potential for some snow showers tomorrow night and an additional inch of covering.
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.
“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.”
Persons seeking shelter in a warming center should contact their local municipality. 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.
