Philadelphia Region Deals With First Arctic Blast Of Winter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The first frigid blast of the season has its cold grip on the Delaware Valley.
Several counties in New Jersey and Pennsylvania have issued a Code Blue weather emergency due to dropping temperatures and the National Weather Service has issued hazardous weather outlooks across parts of the region.
Despite the 13 degree temperatures and wind chills that made it feel below zero Tuesday morning, people were outside braving the cold.
Teeth chattering, bone chilling -- people like Benita were waiting for the bus, all bundled up.
"I have everything prepared," she said. "I make sure I have my gloves, my coat, sweater, whatever I need. I have on about three layers."
How about that 70 degree weather in recent weeks?
"I don't know, it just throws you off," Benita said. "It's finally winter. I'm not going to complain."
Others said they were willing to deal with the freezing temps as long as Old Man Winter didn't bring any snow.
"I put my earmuffs on and my gloves on, but we'll survive," said Judy. "It's been a mild winter. So far, so good. No snow anyway."
The Code Blue was declared until 3 p.m. in Philadelphia.
City officials were urging residents to check on elderly neighbors.
The Project Home hotline (215-232-1984) was open to report any homeless person out in the cold and get them inside.
Temperatures were expected to rise by afternoon.