NEW YORK — The bitter cold gripping New York City has resulted in 16 fatalities. Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported this on Monday. The report highlights the ongoing risks faced by vulnerable residents during sub-freezing temperatures.
Preliminary findings indicate that hypothermia contributed to 13 of the deaths, while three others appear to be linked to overdoses. Authorities have increased outreach to the city’s homeless population, placing more than 930 individuals into shelters and safe havens.
“In 13 of these cases, preliminary findings indicate that hypothermia played a role,” Mamdani said. “Our teams are continuing to work around the clock to protect New Yorkers.”
Some local officials, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, have called for more proactive measures. They want to ensure that individuals at risk are transported to safe spaces. This is especially important during extreme cold alerts, which are known as Code Blue.
