As we head towards the warmer months (and continue to still see some other wild and woolly weather), you may come across various codes and terms in your news feed warning the community about weather conditions across the state. If you’re not familiar with these terms, understanding what they mean and who they’re targeting can get a bit confusing, so we’ve made a glossary breaking down two of the most common terms you might come across and how you can help those sleeping rough when extreme weather hits.
In the cases of extreme weather, Code Red, Code Blue, and Severe Weather alerts are most commonly activated to reduce the harmful effects on people who are sleeping rough.
Code Blue
A Code Blue is triggered when extreme weather conditions are predicted to continue for at least three days by the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) with any two of the following:
- Temperatures drop below an average night-time low of 6°C.
- Significant rainfall makes it difficult for people sleeping rough to stay dry.
- Damaging wind gusts pose a high risk to the safety of those sleeping rough.
Or if there are prolonged cold conditions where the BOM predicts five or more days with average night-time temperatures dropping below 5°C.
Any other factors related to extreme winter weather that require a Code Blue alert.
A tier 1 may be issued for a short number of days or cold weather with fewer exacerbating factors like high rainfall and winds. A tier 2 response would be for cold weather plus extra factors such as high winds and rainfall, thunderstorms and hail.
Code Red
A Code Red is triggered if there is any of the following:
- Severe heatwave where the Excess Heat Factor is 1 to 3
- Extreme heatwave where the Excess Heat Factor is above 3
The Excess Heat Factor (EHF) is calculated based on minimum, maximum, and average temperatures over three days. The State Emergency Service (SES) works closely with the BOM to predict the EHF daily.
Tier 1 and Tier 2 are determined on advice from SES.
Severe Weather
Severe Weather is often when there are extreme weather events, especially if there are multiple on the same day such as thunderstorms, high winds, hail, and dust storms with or without other factors such as extreme heat or cold.
A Tier 1 response is used when there is severe weather but there aren’t 3 or more factors to consider.
A Tier 2 response can be called at any time at the discretion of the DHS. This is often based on 3 or more extreme weather events combined on the same day
The Department of Human Services measures each extreme weather response in two tiers.
Tier 1: Agencies provide their normal services but may extend daytime operation hours, increase staffing, extend street outreach work and increase education and awareness of pre-existing services and support. This will look different depending on the region, code called, and the tier level activated by the Department.
Tier 2: As well as what is outlined in Tier 1, a Tier 2 response can also include overnight accommodation and shelter for people experiencing rough sleeping.
| Tier 1 Response | Tier 2 Response | |
| Code Red | – Distribution of water, sunscreen, Hats, hydration sachets, etc. – Extended daytime hours and staff – Identifying heat watch clients to be prioritised – Provide maps of where to find air-conditioned public spaces and drinking fountains. – Provide heat-related information to clients including how to cope with heat stress and how to recognise the signs of heat stress. – Provide emergency services contact list to clients. | Everything in tier 1 plus: Emergency accommodation in the form of – – Referrals to existing shelters – Hotel/motel for clients identified through risk assessment as heat watch clients – Outreach support to hotel/motel clients. |
| Code Blue | – Distribution of hot drinks and meals, bedding, blankets, sleeping bags and warm clothes – Maps of where to find heated public spaces – Provide Emergency services contact lists to clients – Extended daytime hours and staff | Everything in tier 1 plus: Emergency accommodation in the form of – – Referrals to existing shelters – Hotel/motel for clients identified through risk assessment as heat watch clients – Outreach support to hotel/motel clients. |
| Severe Weather | The same services are available under tier 1 for code red and blue. | Everything in tier 1 plus: Emergency accommodation in the form of – – Referrals to existing shelters – Hotel/motel for clients identified through risk assessment as heat watch clients – Outreach support to hotel/motel clients. |
If a Code Blue, Code Red or Severe Weather has been activated the South Australian Department of Human Services will notify the public through social media. Homelessness services will also reach out to known rough sleeper locations to inform people of the extra services.
For more information about the extra services that are available during a Code Red, Code Blue, and Severe Weather, click here.
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