The death toll from New York City's prolonged cold snap has risen to 18, officials confirmed on Sunday. The fatalities underscore the severity of the subzero temperatures that have gripped the region, marking one of the longest such stretches since 1961.
The latest victim was discovered in the Bronx on Saturday morning. Separately, an 81-year-old man was found dead on the roof of his Brooklyn apartment building, having apparently slipped on ice while carrying groceries.
The extreme cold prompted a 'code blue' declaration on 19 January, ensuring shelter access for all and allowing homeless individuals to take refuge in the subway system. Outreach teams have been actively canvassing streets to assist vulnerable people.
Temperatures have been 10-15°F below average, with wind chills as low as -20°F (-29°C). The National Weather Service issued its first extreme cold warning since the alert was created in 2024, in effect from Saturday evening to Sunday afternoon.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration has opened 60 new hotel rooms and 62 warming centres. Mamdani urged those on the streets to seek shelter, stating, 'These temperatures are too low and too dangerous to survive.'
