ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Temperatures are in the teens on Tuesday morning in the Rochester area, but feel like they’re in the single digits with the wind chill.
With the frigid temperatures, shelter leaders are reminding the community about Monroe County’s Code Blue program. Anytime temperatures drop below freezing or winter weather poses a serious risk, RTS bus services offer free transportation to shelters.
The goal is to support the homeless people or those living in sub-standard housing. Michael Ford, executive director of the House of Mercy shelter, said access to warming centers could be a matter of life and death.
“We don’t realize when we’re going from our homes to our cars or from our cars to our work, that that temperature is cold over the course of those little transitions. But for those folks who are living in substandard housing, to those who are living on the streets in various settings, it really is a matter of life or death for them,” he said.
How Code Blue works
RTS offers free transportation to the Open Door Mission on Plymouth Avenue (routes 15 and 21), House of Mercy on Ormond Street (route 3), and Saving Grace Ministries on Norton Street for men (routes 4 and 5). RTS OnDemand also offers transportation to two centers in Brockport, Oak Orchard on West Avenue and First Baptist Church on Main Street.
People in need can come to any RTS bus stop for help to get to a shelter. If the nearest shelter is already on the route, the bus will take you directly there. If the warming center isn’t on the route, the bus will take you to the RTS Transit Center, where an RTS employee will help you to get on the correct bus route.
How long will the frigid temperatures last?
The First Alert Weather team is tracking several frigid days this week with highs in the teens and wind chills even lower. We’re also tracking some lake effect snow. You can see our latest forecast here.
News10NBC’s Kristi Blake, a native to Tenesee, came prepared as she reported live from the Open Door Mission shelter. She had three pairs of socks on and multiple layers. See her report of what it feels like outside here:
How cold does it feel outside? @kristiblake_TV wore three pairs of socks as she reported live from the Open Door Mission shelter this morning. She explains how people in need can get free transportation to local shelters. t.co/tKqULMk0WQ pic.twitter.com/LF2M0WL3L3
— News10NBC (@news10nbc) January 20, 2026Advice for staying safe in winter weather
When traveling during winter weather, AAA is encouraging everyone to keep some extra clothes in their car in case it breaks down. The same goes for water and snacks. For homeowners, this is also the time to make sure snow isn’t blocking the vents to your house. Also, be sure to get a shovel out and keep your sidewalks clear. Be sure to keep pets warm as they’re outside, including with sweaters. Kristi Blake shares some more advice:
Advice for staying safe in winter weatherUpdates on local, state and national News are detailed by the News10NBC Morning Team, along with traffic, sports and the weather forecast.What to know about Monroe County’s Code Blue program amid frigid temperatures WHEC.com.
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