Montgomery County has announced an extension to its Code Blue Cold Weather Emergency, which will now run through Tuesday. This declaration, issued by the Montgomery County Commissioners following advice from the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Public Health (OPH), is in response to a review of National Weather Service forecasts indicating that either temperatures or wind chill may fall to or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for multiple hours at a time, according to a notice on the Montgomery County's official website.
A Code Blue is a critical alert in Montgomery County, signifying that winter conditions could cause severe harm, or even death, to those without shelter. Originally activated on January 14, the measure is an effort to protect residents from the perilous chill. Those in need of emergency shelter are urged to call the Your Way Home Call Center at 610.278.3522, as stated in the Montgomery County's alert.
With the extended emergency in place, Montgomery County officials are reminding residents to check on vulnerable populations such as the elderly, ensuring they have adequate heating. The county's guidance advises community members to keep an eye out for anyone in immediate need of emergency assistance and to either call or text 9-1-1 in such cases, as was mentioned in the Montgomery County posted notice.
Residents are also encouraged to prepare for the cold by winterizing their vehicles and equipping them with necessities such as antifreeze, a full tank of gas, and emergency supplies. It's also recommended to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, to wear appropriate clothing for the weather, limit pets' outdoor time, and report power outages to their utility company, not 9-1-1. Further information on handling cold weather can be found on the county's Code Blue information page.
