Code Blue announced for evenings of March 20-21 in Wilkes-Barre

Bill O’Boyle, The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Mar. 19—WILKES-BARRE — Mayor George C. Brown on Tuesday said the city will enact the Code Blue designation due to severe cold temperatures for Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

The Code Blue Emergency Shelter Program will be administered by Keystone Mission's Blue Emergency Shelter, 90 E. Union St., Wilkes-Barre. During Code Blue, the shelter will be open to guests' arrival between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. and will close at 7 a.m. the following morning.

The city assists with the administration of the program by making the determination of when a Code Blue is necessary, publicizing when it will be in effect, and having city personnel attempt to notify the homeless of the activation of a Code Blue.

The public is also notified of Code Blue situations by the lighting of a blue light on Public Square in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

A Code Blue is initiated when the National Weather Service forecasts windchill temperatures of 20 degrees or below, or when there is an expected snowfall of 10 inches or more.

People interested in volunteering to assist with the Code Blue Program or seeking more information about the program should contact Keystone Mission at 570-871-4795, ext. 404, or Volunteer@KeystoneMission.org.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.

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