Essex County Declares ‘Code Blue,’ Homeless Residents At Risk From Cold

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County officials have activated “Code Blue” procedures in an effort to protect the area’s homeless and at-risk residents from frigid weather during a forecasted snowstorm this week.

The Code Blue will be in effect from 5 p.m. on Monday, March 13 to 8 a.m. on Thursday, March 16.

• See related article: N.J. Weather Forecast: Blizzard Warning In 7 Counties

Conditions for a Code Blue are defined as when the temperature drops below 15 degrees for a 48-hour period or when the wind chill is below 0 degrees. When those conditions are met, or when the weather forecast predicts these conditions, the county executive can proclaim a Code Blue and enact the procedure, officials stated.

When a Code Blue is declared, a network of warming stations operated by the county and its municipalities and shelters operated by the community based organizations will be opened. The warming stations include Essex County Codey Arena and a variety of public libraries, senior centers, civic and community centers, school buildings, houses of worship, firehouses and first aid squad buildings.

Warming stations are generally opened during the day and may not provide overnight accommodations. Shelters do provide overnight accommodations. In addition, shelters that regularly require occupants to leave during the day will suspend that practice so people can stay indoors, county officials said.

A list of available warming stations and shelters is available on www.NJ211.org and available by dialing 2-1-1.

“Our homeless residents need a warm place to stay when winter weather gets this bad,” Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura said. “The organizations opening their doors are providing a great service and helping us protect the safety of these vulnerable residents.”

• See related article: Essex County Has Most Homeless Residents In NJ, Study Says
• See related article: Life Through The Lens Of Homeless NJ Photographers: GALLERY
• See related article: 9 Homeless People Found Living Under Essex County Highway Overpass

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Photo: Fran Urbano, Flickr Commons