Camden County extends Code Blue through March 4

Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, advises municipalities that Camden County will be under “Code Blue” severe weather advisories through Tuesday morning, March 4.

The health officer issued the severe weather advisory for Camden County effective from 6:00 p.m. this evening continuously through 7:00 a.m. on March 1. A severe weather advisory has also been issued from 6:00 p.m. on March 2 through 7:00 a.m. March 4.

“Again, we will see more extreme conditions producing more snow and ice that will stretch into next week creating a public health challenge,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Health Department. “With treacherous weather on the way, we need everyone to be sheltered and out of the elements.”

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.

The latest forecast obtained by Camden County is calling for the arctic pattern that has returned across the region to bring extreme cold temperatures tonight and tomorrow. All eyes are on the next system which is shaping up to be a long-duration snow and mixed precipitation event from Sunday night to Monday evening. This will likely bring another plowable accumulation as well as an extended period of icing.

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.