Hudson County activates Code Blue when temperatures drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, opening emergency warming centers and expanding shelter capacity. Jersey City coordinates transport and intake at multiple facilities.
Under NJ P.L. 2017 c.225, Code Blue is mandatory when forecast temperatures including wind chill fall below 32 degrees, or 25 degrees with precipitation. Hudson County designates warming centers including PATH and Jersey City public buildings. Garden State Episcopal CDC, the Salvation Army, and St. Lucy's Emergency Shelter expand intake. Outreach teams sweep known encampments offering transport. Code Blue cannot be conditioned on sobriety or ID, ensuring low-barrier entry. Jersey City Office of Emergency Management broadcasts activations through Nixle alerts and social media. Code Red activations cover dangerous heat, opening cooling centers at libraries, senior centers, and rec facilities.
Refusing Code Blue intake based on sobriety, ID, or behavioral conditions violates NJ §40A:5-19 and triggers state DCA review of county shelter operations.
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