Code Blue Emergency In Effect For Gloucester Township

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Camden County will be under a Code Blue Emergency for the duration of the expected winter storm.

The Camden County Health Officer issued the Code Blue Emergency effective from 6 p.m. tonight continuously through to 7 a.m. on March 15. All municipalities are expected to activate their Code Blue Response Plan to accommodate their immediate needs.

“A nor’easter is bringing bitterly cold temperatures to our area, along with snow, sleet and freezing rain. Everyone should be sheltered and out of the elements during this severe weather,” Camden County Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez, liaison to the Camden County Department of Health and Human Services, said. “If you must leave 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.”

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for South Jersey, as between 8 and 12 inches of snow may be dumped on the county between 8 p.m. Monday night and 6 p.m. Tuesday evening.

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.

“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.”

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.

In Gloucester Township, warming centers are located at the Hider Lane Senior Center (1571 Hider Lane, 856-228-9015) and the boro hall (1261 Chews Landing Road, 856-228-4000).

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.