Wilkes-Barre City Mayor George C. Brown has declared a Code Blue alert for homeless individuals from Thursday through Tuesday nights, extending into the following mornings, due to the return of dangerously low sub-freezing temperatures in the area.
The designated shelter for this initiative is Calvary Bible Church, situated at 410 S. River St. in Wilkes-Barre. It will operate nightly from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. during this Code Blue period. The forecast predicts overnight temperatures to dip between 0 and 18 degrees Fahrenheit, not taking into account the chilling effects of the wind.
The most severe temperatures are expected on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, with predictions showing a drop to 0 degrees. Wind conditions, featuring speeds of 13 mph and gusts up to 22 mph, will result in a wind chill that feels as frigid as 18 degrees below zero.
The City activates a Code Blue alert when the National Weather Service predicts wind chill temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below, or anticipates snowfall of 10 inches or more. To inform the community, the stage lights on Public Square change to blue whenever a Code Blue is declared.
During Code Blue alerts, the shelter will usually be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., except for Wednesdays, when it typically opens at 9 p.m. due to a regular evening event at the church. However, this upcoming Wednesday coincides with New Year’s Eve, so the shelter will open earlier at 7 p.m. to accommodate those in need.
Individuals interested in volunteering at the Code Blue shelter can reach out to Pastor Sam Garnett at 570-824-5868 or via email at samuelplymouth@aol.com. This initiative reflects the city’s commitment to supporting its vulnerable populations during extreme weather conditions, ensuring that individuals have a safe place to stay warm.