Code Blue Issued For Buffalo, New York

The arrival of the colder temps in Buffalo and Western New York has started to have an impact on the day-to-day lives of people who live in the 716.

Over the last few days, a lake-effect snow storm blew into the region and dumped several inches of snow on the ground. That snow ensnarled traffic for several hours, caused travel advisories in several towns, caused some schools to have to close or delay their opening, and just was a general annoyance for many folks all around the region.

Now, while ski resorts and other businesses that rely on snow are happy that snow is falling, all sorts of other people are having to adjust as winter reminds us all that it's here.

Western New York has a persistent problem with homelessness throughout the region, and the area's rising rents have made it especially difficult for people to find safe and sustainable housing. Because of this, there are more people living on the street than in past years.

With the colder weather looking like it's fully entrenched in Western New York, folks who are struggling to find safe housing are especially in danger.

The City of Buffalo Issues A Cold Blue

For the second day in a row, the City of Buffalo has issued a Code Blue. According to the WNY Coalition for the Homeless, a Code Blue is Erie County and the City of Buffalo's cold weather emergency safety plan that provides outreach, transportation, shelter, and a warm meal to individuals in our community who are unhoused on evenings when temperatures or wind chill falls to 32 degrees or below.

As the temperatures in Buffalo dip below freezing, officials are opening up daytime emergency warming centers and overnight shelters to allow people to come in from the cold.

The Cold Blue shelter, located at 586 Genesee Street in downtown Buffalo, will be open from 8:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m.

You can find more information about the Code Blue system and donate to help those in need here on the WNY Coalition for the Homeless website.