Frigid weather this weekend prompts statewide push to shelter homeless – NorthJersey.com

Temperatures are expected to plummet into the single digits throughout New Jersey starting Sunday afternoon, which will be well below the 32 degree threshold for counties to declare a “Code Blue.”

Code Blue is a state law that passed in 2017 that allows authorities to take homeless people to shelters or warming centers when a county activates the alert. 

Staying out in the weather weather forecast for this weekend was described as life-threatening by Joe Pollina, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. Someone staying outside could be susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia, he said. 

The City of Passaic began early and officials have been inviting homeless men and women to stay at the city’s shelter for the past week, Mayor Hector Lora said. The shelter is averaging about 20 people per night. 

“We explain we just want them to get out of the cold and that they can come and go as they please,” Lora said.

Most of the state will be hit with a winter storm over the weekend dropping snow, sleet or rain depending on the area and the storm will now be followed by a deep freeze, National Weather Services officials say. 

Areas such as Essex, Passaic and Bergen County are projected to feel temperatures as low as minus 17 degrees, while Asbury Park will have a low of 9 degrees going into Sunday night with wind gusts reaching 40 mph. 

Forecast: Weekend storm to bring all the elements

Snow: Driving in snow: Check tire pressure and treads before heading out

Lead: Elevated lead levels found in drinking water in Bergen, Hudson county homes

The number of of homeless people in New Jersey roseto 9,303 in 2018, which includes 1,994 children, a 9 percent total increase from 2017, according to a study conducted by Monarch Housing Associates.

The 2,200 homeless in Essex County accounts for about 24 percent of the state’s homeless population, by far the biggest percentage. The homeless population in Bergen and Monmouth counties, which have an estimated 800 homeless each account for four percent , with both having below 400 homeless people, the study shows. 

The blast of severe winter weather  is coming days before a one-night, statewide census of the homeless population. And the implementation of a Code Blue days before could affect the count, according to Monarch Housing which coordinates the count in New Jersey..

“There are still thousands of our fellow New Jerseyans who do not have a home, a fact highlighted on bitterly cold nights when Code Blue warming centers are activated” Kate Kelly, of Monarch Housing.  “New Jersey’s Code Blue legislation ensures that our unsheltered neighbors have a warm place to go to on the coldest nights, but it is only the start of the process.”

Mahwah Police Chief James Batelli said that local law enforcement is ready to offer aid to any resident that may need it. 

“While Mahwah does not have a large homeless population, officers will be alerted to check areas that homeless people may frequent and also check on at risk people and the elderly,” Batelli said. 

Travel during the weekend and through Monday will be hazardous especially in South Jersey, Brian Thompson, an Accuweather meteorologist said. 

Areas like Atlantic City will be mostly spared by snow during the weekend but heavy rain will leave the area more susceptible to a flash freeze than the rest of the state, Thompson said. 

For those who need to travel or need a place to go if they are without heat, warming centers listed by county can be found here. 

Staff writers Matt Fagan, Marsha Stoltz and Susanne Cervenka contributed to this article. 

Counties with Code Blue activated

• Atlantic County- Through Jan. 20.
• Bergen County- Until further notice.
• Burlington County- Until 1 p.m. Jan. 22. 
• Cumberland County- Through Jan. 22.
• Essex County- Through Jan. 22.
• Hudson County- Through Mar. 31. 
• Morris County- Through Jan 20. 
• Monmouth County- Until 8 a.m. Jan. 23. 
• Ocean County- Until 8 a.m. Jan. 22. 
• Passaic- Until further notice. 
• Somerset County- Until further notice. 
• Union County- Through Jan. 21.

 

 

 

 

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