Bitter Cold Temps Prompt Code Blue Alert In Somerset County: What To Know

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — A Code Blue Weather Emergency is in effect for Somerset County through Wednesday, Feb. 8 as the National Weather Service warns of dangerously cold temperatures, officials said.

Most of the state will get wind chills as low as 10 degrees below zero, with northwestern New Jersey's reaching 10-20 below zero, according to the National Weather Service. The frigid temperatures combined with strong gusts could cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes, while creating the potential for sporadic power outages and bursting water lines. Read More: NJ Weather: -20 Wind Chills, Intense Gusts To Hit The State

The Somerset County Office of Emergency Management issued a Code Blue Alert on Friday, which allows residents to come to warming shelters as needed and enables authorities to make shelter arrangements for homeless adults.

For those who need to seek shelter, check out this list of warming centers (available at soconj.gov/warmingcenters):

For those who require additional assistance, call the local municipal government during business hours, or call 211 after hours, during holidays, and on weekends.

"The temperatures tonight and into tomorrow are expected to be extremely dangerous, and it’s vital that we all take care to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our pets," said Commissioner Deputy Director Doug Singleterry, liaison to the Somerset County Office of Emergency Management. "Somerset County has provided resources including warming centers for residents who lose power or heat, or are unable to find shelter, and urge everyone to take advantage of these resources should they need them."

Those who require additional assistance should call Somerset County Social Services at 908-526-8800 during business hours (8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. weekdays), or call 211 or 877-652-1148 after hours, during holidays, and on weekends.

Tips for staying safe during a winter storm:

• If you need to go outside, wear layers of warm clothing.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
• Reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow or walking in the snow.
• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
• If it is safe to do so, check on elderly or infirm neighbors to ensure they are safe and warm.
• If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you have a health condition that is not immediately dangerous but requires medical care, contact your healthcare provider for further instructions and shelter in place, if possible.

OUTAGES

The Somerset County Commissioners offer tips for residents during power outages. If residents experience a power, gas or water outage, notify the appropriate utility company as soon as possible.

JCP&L Emergency Number: 888-LIGHTS (1-888-544-4877)

• JCP&L Report Power Outages: firstenergycorp.com/content/customer/outages_help/Report_Power_Outages.html
• JCP&L Outage Map: outages.firstenergycorp.com/nj.html

PSE&G Emergency Number: 800-436-PSEG (7734)

• PSE&G Report Outage/Map: Text OUT to 4PSEG (47734) or visit nj.pseg.com/outageandgasleaks/duringanoutage/outageresources and click “Report Outage”

NJ AMERICAN WATER Emergency Number 1-800-272-1325

• To find alerts or report a loss of water, visit at https://emergency.amwater.com/ and click the links in the top left of the page

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