Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose and Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Dr. Mark Wade announced that “Code Blue” is currently activated and will remain in effect due to below freezing temperatures expected tonight.
According to officials, a Code Blue is called when temperatures reach 25°F or lower without precipitation or 32°F or lower with precipitation. The City reminds residents that a number of homeless shelters have partnered with the City to provide emergency shelter, including Code Blue sheltering. For a list of participating shelters, please click here.
“I commend the members of our Department of Public Works for the excellent work they performed in clearing our streets of snow and addressing downed trees and wires during last night’s snowstorm,” Mayor Baraka said. “And, through the combined efforts of our Department of Public Safety and Department of Health, we were able to identify 21 individuals in need of shelter during the storm. I’m pleased to report that we were able to assist these individuals by transporting them to safety.”
“The teamwork exhibited among the various agencies and business partners in the City of Newark allowed our emergency operations to effectively provide services to our residents and to all those who needed assistance,” Director Ambrose added.
Tonight, temperatures are expected to fall into the teens, likely resulting in freezing on roadways. Drivers are advised to reduce driving speeds due to possible icing conditions. Drivers are also cautioned to remain alert when approaching bridges and overpasses as these structures freeze before road surface freezing occurs.
Flooding is also possible. Drivers are discouraged from traveling through any streets that are flooded, have high water or are believed to be submerged. Click here for a list of roads that can experience flooding.
For all non-emergency weather-related matters, please contact the Department of Public Safety at (973) 733-6000.