Code Blue Weather Advisory Issued As Gloucester Township Prepares For Winter Storm

Don’t be fooled by Friday’s warm weather; a cold front is on its way. Camden County will be under a Code Blue Weather Advisory Saturday night as a storm system threatens to bring a mix of winter precipitation to the region.

“Whatever weather conditions we experience over the weekend, our county crews are prepared to address any and all situations that may arise,” Camden County Freeholder Susan Shin Angulo, liaison to the Camden County Department of Public Works, said. “Our equipment is prepped, our trucks are loaded and our Public Works employees will be on the job to keep roadways passable, but we need everyone to remain extra cautious behind the wheel.”

A mix of winter precipitation that will be light to moderate in intensity is expected to hit the region in the afternoon and early evening.

The Health Officer issued the Code Blue advisory for Camden County effective from 6 p.m. on Jan. 14 until 7 a.m. on Jan. 15. During this time, there is decent potential for a widespread refreeze of wet surfaces as our skies clear and temperatures fall below freezing overnight.

“Anyone on the roadways during these times should be prepared to encounter slick road conditions,” Shin Angulo said. “Remember to leave at least six car lengths behind our DPW vehicles while they work. Also, while our crews are working in the community please park all vehicles off the roadways so we can effectively plow the area.”

“On Saturday night, we are expecting a mix of sleet and snow with temperatures in the low 20s. In these extreme weather conditions, we need everyone to be sheltered and out of the elements,” 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.”

When the Camden County Health Officer declares a Code Blue 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.

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.

The county has more than 100 pieces of equipment ready to keep county roads passable and drivers moving. If the weather becomes treacherous personnel will be dispatched to 12 winter maintenance districts to salt and plow 1,400 lane miles of roadways across Camden County. The county’s response plan calls for crews to be dispatched to the zones where they are needed.

In the event that the weather causes isolated power outages, residents should immediately call their utility company so they can identify the location and coordinate crews to restore power.

This storm has the potential to bring down trees and power lines. Residents need to be extra cognizant of any power failures. Below are numbers and contact info for the two power providers in Camden County:

• PSE&G: 1-800-436-PSEG (7734)
• PSEG website: http://pseg.com/home/customer_service/outage_info/index.jsp
• Atlantic City Electric: 1-800-833-7476 http://www.atlanticcityelectri...
• South Jersey Gas: 1-800-582-7060
• South Jersey Gas website: http://southjerseygas.com/

As always, residents are asked to use 911 for emergencies only. Anyone who sees a problem on a county road should call the 24-hour hotline at 856-566-2980 to report it to the Department of Public Works.