Newark ‘Code Blue’ Continues Amid Ugly Winter Weather Forecast

NEWARK, NJ — As weather forecasters call for a storm to dump snow and freezing rain across the state by Tuesday, Newark officials are asking local residents to keep an eye out for their in-need and vulnerable neighbors.

On Monday, Newark city officials reminded residents that Code Blue status – which is called when temperatures reach 25°F or lower without precipitation or 32°F or lower with precipitation – will continue throughout the predicted storm and “as needed” into the future.

• See related article: NJ Weather: Hour-By-Hour Forecast Of Snow, Rain, Ice, Wind

Officials reminded residents that several local homeless shelters have partnered with the city to provide emergency sheltering, including Code Blue sheltering. For a list of participating shelters, click here.

Newark officials wrote Monday:

“Tomorrow’s forecast calls for snow and sleet, followed by heavy rain with high winds, beginning after 4 a.m. Accumulations of 3 to 8 inches are possible. As a result, residents are asked to observe the city’s ‘No Parking on Snow Covered Roadways’ ordinance and signs, which will be enforced. When shoveling snow, please keep it off fire hydrants and out of streets for the safety of motorists and emergency vehicles. Flooding is also expected. Drivers are discouraged from traveling through any streets that are flooded, have high water or are believed to be flooded. Click here for a list of streets that can experience flooding.”

“I urge residents to take precautions to keep their homes safe and to be safe when they are out and about, and to check on their neighbors, especially the disabled, children and the elderly,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said that Newark police and other city agencies will provide assistance to the homeless and to others in need of shelter.

“We urge residents to use safety precautions when utilizing space heaters, wood stoves or fireplaces and to avoid overloading electric outlets to prevent fires during this extremely cold weather,” Ambrose advised.

For all non-emergency weather-related matters, contact the Department of Public Safety at: (973) 733-6000. For weather updates, stay tuned to Government Access Channel 78 on Altice/Cablevision or Channel 28 on Fios or visit the city’s social media pages.

To report no heat or hot water in an apartment, call the Division of Code Enforcement at (973) 733-6471.

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