Bitter cold temperatures are expected in Allegheny County starting Thursday night, prompting the launch of Code Blue Action to provide shelter for the homeless.
The blue law will go into effect across the county at 7 p.m. Thursday and is expected to last through Friday night, depending on weather conditions, county and Pittsburgh officials said.
Code Blue is announced when the National Weather Service expects temperatures to drop below 26 degrees between 4 p.m. and 8 a.m.
According to its latest forecast, the weather service expects low temperatures in Pittsburgh to reach 20 degrees Thursday night and 26 degrees Friday night.
Low temperatures are expected to reach 30 degrees by the end of the week.
The Code Blue plan can also be activated when the Pittsburgh Office of Emergency Management activates its Emergency Operations Center in response to severe weather conditions.
During a Code Blue event:
• Those who lack shelter will be directed to the shelter located at Second Avenue Commons, 700 Second Ave. In downtown Pittsburgh.
• All Allegheny County Department of Human Services shelters serving the homeless will remain open 24 hours a day while temperatures remain below 26 degrees.
• If the current space reaches capacity, people will be moved to the severe weather emergency shelter at Ammon Recreation Center in Pittsburgh, 2217 Bedford Ave.
• Outreach teams will focus on informing unhoused people about Code Blue status while providing services and support to access shelters.
County, city and local homeless shelter staff were mobilized to provide support for Code Blue Action.
Pittsburgh's Recreation and Active Living Centers will open as warm locations if the temperature drops below 20 degrees.
Additionally, anyone seeking shelter should call Allegheny Link at 1-866-730-2368. Families seeking shelter can call this number or visit 1 Smithfield St. In Pittsburgh to meet with the service coordinator.
Attendance hours are from 8 am to 4 pm, seven days a week.
Code Blue case updates will be posted on the Allegheny County Department of Human Services social media accounts.
Jeff Himler is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Jeff via email at jhimler@tribive.com or via Twitter .
