Code Blue Extended For Camden County

GLOUCESTER TWP, NJ (CBS) - The Camden County Health Officer has extended the "Code Blue" severe weather advisory for Camden County effective from 6:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 4 to 6:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 and from 6:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5 to 6:00 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 6.

The latest forecasts obtained by Camden County are predicting temperatures around 25 degrees with winds up to 15 miles per hour over the weekend with a chance of precipitation Saturday evening into Sunday morning.

"When the Camden County Health Officer declares a Severe Weather Advisory, municipalities with homeless populations, situational homeless or transient populations are expected to activate their Code Blue response plan to accommodate their immediate needs," said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Health Department.

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 that most vulnerable among us are not left without heat or electricity."

Persons seeking warming center locations should contact their local municipality.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that assists qualified households pay for heating costs.  LIHEAP is administered by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs 1-800-510-3102 (LIHEAP).