New York's Deadly Cold Snap Claims 18 Lives as Historic Freeze Ends
At least 18 people have died as a result of the dangerous and enduring cold that has gripped New York City, officials confirmed on Sunday. The climbing death toll serves as a stark reminder of the lethal nature of the subzero temperatures that have plagued the area, marking one of the longest stretches of such extreme cold since 1961.
Fatalities and Frigid Conditions
The most recent fatality was a person discovered at approximately 9am on Saturday in the Bronx, according to a city hall official. In a separate incident, an 81-year-old Brooklyn man was found dead on the roof of his apartment building. Police believe he slipped on ice while carrying a bag of groceries. These tragic events underscore the perilous conditions that have transformed the city's landscape, with ice floats covering parts of the Hudson River along the Manhattan shoreline following a winter storm on 30 January.
Historic Cold Stretch and Emergency Measures
This freezing period represents a significant departure from recent winters for New Yorkers. In 2020, the city was classified as a humid subtropical climate zone, but the past few weeks have felt anything but tropical. Over the weekend, temperatures in the Big Apple plummeted to new lows, with some parts of Antarctica reportedly warmer than the city. The National Weather Service noted that temperatures have been running 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit below average, with lows around 5°F (-15°C) and wind chills making it feel as cold as negative 20°F (-7°C). Such severe cold can lead to hypothermia and frostbite in as little as 15 minutes.
In response to the crisis, New York City officials declared a "code blue" on 19 January due to the severe cold. This declaration:
- Prohibits anyone from being denied access to a shelter.
- Restricts police from blocking people from sheltering in the subway system.
- Activates homeless outreach teams to canvass the streets, focusing on vulnerable, unsheltered individuals.
- Routes non-emergency 311 calls to emergency 911.
An extreme cold warning was issued from 6pm on Saturday until 1pm on Sunday, marking the first time this alert has been used since its creation in 2024.
Mayoral Response and Homeless Protection
The deaths during this Arctic blast have posed an early test for Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration. Ahead of the weekend freeze, Mamdani's office announced the opening of 60 new hotel rooms to shelter unhoused individuals, along with 62 warming centers. During a Friday press briefing, Mamdani made a personal plea to those considering braving the cold, stating, "To those who may consider themselves more comfortable on the streets, I want to speak directly to you. Come inside. These temperatures are too low and too dangerous to survive."
Right-wing critics have blamed Mamdani for the city's struggles, particularly as snow failed to melt, but the administration's efforts highlight the ongoing challenge of protecting homeless communities during extreme weather events. The combination of emergency measures and public appeals aims to mitigate the risks, yet the rising death toll indicates the severe impact of this historic cold stretch.
