If long-range weather forecasts are accurate then Mercer County residents should prepare for an extended time of bone-chilling temperatures. Following Thursday’s lower-40s temperature, Trenton area residents could face a month or more of temps in the 30s and lows in the teens, according to Accu-Weather. Plus, predicted weather events of snow, freezing rain, and sleet, could turn Trenton into an icebox. While climate change remains a debated topic, 40 consecutive days of 30-degree and below weather registers as a climate crisis, especially for unhoused residents. Extreme cold and hot weather events disproportionately affect vulnerable communities in cities, especially those who face economic and housing challenges. An extended stretch of extreme cold weather jeopardizes the welfare of people with housing challenges and even those with adequate home settings. Frozen water lines, malfunctioning heaters, broken street water pipes, and transportation interruptions register as problems for many Mercer County residents. Long stints of extremely cold weather places at risk shelter-challenged and unhoused residents who lack safe, well-maintained, warm places to live. House fires increase as people create ways to stay warm. Health issues connected to heart disease, respiratory ailments, asthma and arthritis can increase during extreme cold conditions. Several days of arctic weather warrants “code blue” initiatives. Thirty or forty days of arctic temperatures demands a prolonged concise plan. In Trenton, organizations that deal with homelessness, food insecurity, and other issues that connect to economic challenges, need a collaborative effort to confront this approaching severe weather event. When Trenton Mayor Douglas H. Palmer ran the city, a serious weather threat produced emergency meetings as city and county leaders met to create a plan of action. Palmer created a war room where strategies were discussed well before storms arrived. As climate concerns increase, government leaders must employ forward thinking and proactive measures to deal with extreme weather events. Of course, Trenton faces an abundance of issues that pertain to landlords, tenants, heating, parking spaces, homelessness, food insecurity and other concerns. This almost perfect weather storm comes as Mercer County faced a past year when homeless statistics increased. Sarah Steward, HomeFront Chief Executive Officer, noted homelessness in Mercer County increased over the prior year by 31-percent while more families came to her organization for assistance as 30,676 unique individuals were served in 2024, a 20-percent increase over 2023. Organizations throughout Mercer County report increased numbers of clients as budgets stretch to stressful limits. This extended snap of arctic temperatures will require our best efforts and if we work together on behalf of those people who need the most support, Trenton and Mercer County can celebrate a wonderful victory. L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].