PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — With temperatures expected to feel like midwinter the next two days, Philadelphia and several surrounding counties have declared a Code Blue.
Monday night into Tuesday is expected to be the coldest. Temperatures could drop as low as 17 degrees — a chill not felt since February. People are advised to dress in layers and limit time outdoors if possible.
Officials have activated additional resources to help the most vulnerable.
Nolan Lawrence, helpline director for the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, said older adults look to them for assistance during extreme weather.
“We also do disbursements for winter clothing, utilities. So, if somebody needs a space heater, we will offer some sort of financial assistance that goes toward bills and clothing and other winter-related expenses,” Lawrence said.
Philadelphia is under the emergency until Wednesday. The same goes for Delaware, Montgomery, Burlington, Camden, Mercer and Atlantic counties. Temperatures are expected to ease up later on Tuesday, and by Wednesday, it’ll be about 42 degrees.
“If you see someone on the streets that may be getting ready to sleep, especially in this cold, you call the Outreach Coordination Center, and they can dispatch a team to come out and check on the individual and try to get them to come in,” said Cheryl Hill, executive director of Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services. The center’s number is 215-232-1984.
“We just want to remind everyone that everyone is a Philadelphian, everyone counts and everyone deserves a place to go,” Hill said.
❄️More resources
A list of Philadelphia intake centers can be found here. For New Jersey residents, click here.
For assistance in Delaware County, visit delcopa.gov/community-resources
If someone needs shelter in Montgomery County, officials urge you to contact the Your Way Home Call Center at 610-278-3522.