Bucks County has extended its Code Blue warning today due to the extreme cold snap gripping the region. With the mercury expected to hover well below freezing over the next few nights, the county is taking measures to protect its residents from the severe weather by providing shelters in various locations.
Since temperatures dropped sharply last week, hitting the teens and single digits, the Code Blue initiative has been a critical resource. Shelters for Upper, Central, and Lower Bucks are available, with their doors opening Friday evening to offer refuge for those in need. According to the Bucks County website, the Upper Bucks shelter located at Quakertown Masonic Lodge will open at 8:30 p.m., as will the Lower Bucks shelter at Woodside Church. Central Bucks' Our Lady of Guadalupe shelter will welcome people starting at 7:30 p.m.
The Code Blue status is activated when forecast temperatures fall below the 20-degree mark for two or more consecutive days, although sometimes other factors, like wind chill or precipitation, are also taken into account. These shelters not only offer a warm place to stay but are a vital lifeline for the community during times of severe weather distress.
For those seeking more information, the County's Housing Link Helpline, operating Monday through Friday, can be reached at 1-800-810-4434. The helpline extends guidance and details regarding the shelter availability during Code Blue days. James O'Malley, a media contact for Bucks County, can be reached at 215-348-6414 or via email at [email protected] for further inquiries, especially outside of the Helpline's operating hours.
