An amber cold health alert has been issued for Kent as temperatures are set to plummet. It comes after the Met Office issued a yellow weather warning for snow and ice for much of England and Wales – including many parts of the county – for the coming weekend.
With temperatures dropping below zero, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has now issued the amber alert. And it will remain in place until 12pm on January 8.
The forecasted weather is likely to cause “significant impacts across health and social care services”, according to the UKHSA. A rise in deaths is possible, particularly among those aged around 65 or in younger age groups. And health care facilities may experience staffing issues due to travel delays.
The yellow weather warning for snow and ice covers most of the county
(Image: Met Office)
For snow and ice, the Met Office yellow warning is in place from noon on Saturday (January 4) to 11.59pm on Sunday (January 5). It covers most of the county, and forecasters said “heavy snow and some freezing rain” may cause disruption over the weekend.
The warning zone for Kent includes Tunbridge Wells, Maidstone, Ashford and parts of Canterbury. A large part of England and all of Wales are also included, and forecasters say there’s a chance some rural communities could “become cut off”.
Tunbridge Wells is set to experience temperatures as low as -4C on Friday (January 3) between 5am and 8am, with ‘feels like’ temperatures of -7C. And similar temperatures near the coast in Folkestone are to be expected.
It will be -3C between 7am and 8am, with ‘feels like temperatures’ of -7C between 3am and 8am. Kate Langford, chief medical officer at NHS Kent and Medway, said: “Prolonged cold weather can be a risk for anyone, but those who are vulnerable, including elderly people, those with breathing difficulties, and children under five, are particularly at risk.
“If you have a family member, friend or neighbour who might be vulnerable please do keep an eye out for them. Should you do need NHS help, NHS 111, online or via phone, is there for you and we list all pharmacies and urgent treatment centres at www.stopthinkchoose.co.uk.”
Kent County Council’s (KCC) Cabinet member for adult social care and public health, Dan Watkins, said: “Eating nutritious meals, keeping active and taking up the offer of free NHS vaccinations if eligible are key to helping you thrive in winter. Search ‘winter health’ on KCC’s kent.gov.uk website for more information and find out all you need to know about vaccinations at www.getvaccinatednow.
“KCC Libraries are also there for you in cold weather as they are part of the national warm spaces network. As well as offering safe, free, and welcoming places to go for warmth, warm spaces offer a chance to meet others. Use the Warm Welcome map at warmwelcome.uk to find the nearest warm space near you.”
Dr Anjan Ghosh, KCC’s director of public health, added: “Being prepared, keeping informed and following common sense advice will help you and your loved ones stay safe and well when temperatures fall. If you can, please keep looking out for vulnerable family, friends and neighbours and if you are struggling with the cost of living, please visit kent.gov to find out what help is available.”
Cold health alerts are intended to provide early warning to the health and social care sector, the responder community, the voluntary and community sector and government departments when adverse temperatures are likely to impact on the health and wellbeing of the population.
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