32 MPH Wind Gusts Predicted, 'Code Blue' Declared In Essex County

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — It may be hard to believe after temperatures exceeded 60 degrees in Essex County this week, but the county has declared a "Code Blue" through Saturday — meaning shelters will stay open and may not force users to leave them at the regular time in the morning.

While temporary warming stations in libraries, schools, and community centers will be open just during the day, area shelters can accommodate guests overnight.

Maplewood sent a message to residents saying: "In light of freezing temperatures, Maplewood will operate community heating centers as needed. Any resident in need of heating center access should contact the police non emergency line at (973-762-1234). Residents will be housed in the Municipal Court until a formal heating center is opened and staffed."

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures were to drop to 25 degrees Friday into Saturday, with wind gusts as high as 32 MPH and wind chill values as low as 15. During the day Saturday, temperatures will rise back to 43 degrees. (See the forecast here.)

Essex County officials said Friday morning that "the Essex County’s Code Blue procedures are being activated because extreme cold weather in the forecast. Essex County is enacting its Code Blue protocols from Friday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. to Saturday, Feb. 18 at 8 a.m. for participating shelters. View the graphic below or visit www.nj211.org." (To get directly to the specific list, click here.)

“Our homeless residents need a warm place to stay when winter weather gets this bad. The organizations opening their doors are providing a great service and helping us protect the safety of these vulnerable residents,” said county Sherriff Fontoura.

When a Code Blue is declared, a network of warming stations operated by the county and various organizations will be opened. They include public libraries, senior centers, civic and community centers, schools, and firehouses.

Warming stations are generally opened during the day and may not provide overnight accommodations. Shelters, however, do provide overnight accommodations. In addition, shelters that regularly require occupants to leave during the day will suspend that practice so people can stay indoors.

A list of participating shelters is copied below or can be viewed by visiting www.NJ211.org or dialing 2-1-1.

Meanwhile, been waiting for snow? Early forecasts say we might get a little toward the end of the month, but not sooner.