Baltimore declares Code Blue as wind chills drop into teens

Baltimore City declared a Code Blue Extreme Cold Alert the evening of January 15 through the morning of January 16 after forecasts expected wind chills to fall into the teens, city health officials said. The alert triggered expanded services aimed at protecting people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable residents from life-threatening cold.

Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Taylor activated expanded shelter capacity across the city and directed heightened outreach, including meal distribution to at-risk older adults and referrals for weatherization assistance. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported multiple cold-related deaths so far this season, a grim indicator of the stakes for residents without reliable heat or stable housing. City officials urged Baltimoreans to check on neighbors and follow safety guidance during extreme cold.

A Code Blue is set when forecasted temperatures or wind chills are expected to drop below 13 degrees Fahrenheit or when conditions otherwise pose a serious health risk, the city release explained. When triggered, the city ramps up immediate supports: shelters open additional beds, outreach teams engage people living outside, and targeted services such as meals and energy-assistance referrals are prioritized for older adults and others at higher risk.

For Baltimore residents in need of shelter, the city provided the Baltimore City Shelter Hotline at 443-984-9540. For other assistance, callers can contact 311 or dial 211 for human services information. The city also pointed people to weatherization assistance referrals intended to help low-income households reduce energy costs and keep heating systems functioning during prolonged cold.

Cold-weather safety guidance included in the announcement emphasized limiting time spent outdoors, dressing in warm layers and covering head, hands and feet, and checking on older neighbors and family members. Residents were also advised to use heating sources safely and to seek help early if they struggle to pay for heat or need emergency shelter.

The alert was a reminder that extreme cold poses immediate public health risks in Baltimore, where aging housing stock, energy insecurity and homelessness intersect with winter weather to deepen vulnerability. Outreach and shelter expansions during Code Blue can save lives, but public health advocates say longer-term solutions—expanded affordable housing, stronger energy assistance programs and investments in weatherization—are needed to prevent repeated seasonal crises.

For now, Baltimore residents should keep emergency numbers handy, look out for neighbors, and contact the shelter hotline or 311/211 if they or someone they know needs help. The city will monitor forecasts and resume normal operations as conditions improve.