National Weather Service predictions for the next week call for a prolonged period of dangerously cold temperatures. Given that forecast, the Bucks County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) joins the County Health Department and Advocates for the Homeless and Those in Need (AHTN) to extend the current “Code Blue” declaration. This Code Blue declaration now covers the period of 7 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2017 through 7 a.m. on Sunday, January 7, 2018.

The EMA has notified the December, 2017 on-call churches, Emmaus Rd. Lutheran Church in Levittown, Neshaminy Warwick Presbyterian Church in Warminster and Quakertown Masonic Lodge to activate their emergency shelters. Beginning on January 1, 2018, the host church in lower Bucks will be Woodside Church in Yardley and the host church in central Bucks will be Trinity Episcopal in Buckingham. The on-call church volunteers will coordinate transportation, temporary shelter, food and other necessities.

In addition, County Emergency Management Director Scott Forster and Health Director Dr. David Damsker have notified local public safety officials of the Code Blue declaration. They advise all residents to be aware of another period of severe weather conditions. County residents are urged to check on their elderly neighbors and pets during this period of extremely cold weather.