Code Blue activation and winter heating, shelter resources for Suffolk County

When temperatures drop to or below 32°F (including windchill) between 4pm and 8am, emergency shelter measures are activated in Suffolk and Nassau Counties to protect people from life-threatening cold," 211li says, triggering what the agency describes as "What happens during CODE BLUE? . Open Access: Anyone can enter a shelter. No eligibility restrictions . Increased outreach . Emergency Warming Centers: Safe spaces open across Long Island · Active Until: Temperatures rise above 32°F." That threshold guides county outreach and shelter activation across Suffolk County systems.

To apply for shelter in Suffolk during daytime hours, 211li lists two DSS numbers: 631-854-9935 and 631-854-9936. Long Island Cares notes that "The DSS Temporary Housing Assistance Unit can be called at 631-854-9547 from 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. After 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, on weekends and holidays, the DSS Emergency Services Unit can be reached at 631-854-9100." Suffolk County also directs non-emergency inquiries to 311 and instructs residents to call 9-1-1 for true emergencies.

Long Island Cares and Legal Services of Long Island posted schedules for warming centers that include specific sites. In Suffolk, the Clark Gillies Dix Hills Ice Rink at 575 Vanderbilt Parkway in Dix Hills was listed as "Open 10:00am – 10:00pm" with a note that "There will be no ice rink activities for those utilizing the warming center." The John J. Flanagan Huntington Senior Center at 423 Park Ave in Huntington was listed "Open 10:00am – 4:00pm" and noted as "Flanagan Center Open Monday – Friday Only." Legalservicesli listed the Southold Town Community Center at 1170 Peconic Lane in Peconic as "Open February 3 at 1600 (4:00pm)- until February 4 at1200 (12:00pm)."

The county's own Fire Rescue page urged callers to confirm hours before traveling. In a January 22 Facebook advisory Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services wrote, "Warming Centers In Suffolk County… We advise residents to call ahead before going to make sure they are open." That post drew 198 reactions, 18 comments and 490 shares, and community commenters raised gaps in overnight coverage and accessibility. Jon Siebert posted, "I can't find any open shelter in Suffolk for night stay" and later asked, "What are normal operating hours? It looks like one place open 24/7 in the county? I might be crazy but it kind of gets cold at night." Other comments asked, "How can the disabled/amputee patients get to a warming center?" and "Are pets allowed?"

Utility and emergency contacts listed in the outreach materials include PSEGLI outage reporting instructions to text OUT to PSEGLI at 773454 and a downed power line number at 1-800-490-0075. For gas emergencies the materials list National Grid's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-490-0045 or advise calling 911. The American Red Cross helpline is given as 1-877-733-2767. For town-level shelter emergencies Legalservicesli notes residents can call the Police Non Emergency Line at 631-728-5000.

The posted schedules also reveal editorial gaps that need confirmation before relying on any single site. Legalservicesli's Hicksville listing includes a likely typo: "February 3: Open 0800-12345." Several entries referenced longer lists and "click here" links that were not included in the distributed excerpts. Nassau County procedures were included for cross-border referrals: Nassau daytime shelter applications go to 516-227-8519 (applicants must visit the center by 12:00pm), nighttime applications go to 516-573-8626, and the Nassau Homeless Hotline is 1-866-WARMBED with the Emergency Night Service opening at 6pm.

Long Island Cares also used the outreach to remind readers of its programs and appeals, referencing "Seniors Supporting Our Seniors (S.O.S.), Veterans Learn more about our Veteran's Project" and asking supporters to "Donate Today." Given the mixed dates and partial lists in the postings, Suffolk residents seeking shelter or warmth are advised to call the numbers listed above and Suffolk 311 for the most current local instructions.