Tag: Extreme cold in New York City leaves 18 dead

Extreme Cold in New York City Leaves 18 Dead as Temperatures Slowly Rise New York City is recovering after a severe cold wave claimed 18 lives. Officials confirmed that the extreme winter conditions, which began in late January, led to one of the longest freezing streaks the city has seen in decades. Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city faced 13 straight days of temperatures at or below 0C, a rare event not seen at this scale since 1963. Over the weekend, another person died on the streets, bringing the total number of deaths to 18. He called each loss a tragedy and urged residents to continue looking out for one another. Record Breaking Cold Snap Hits NYC The cold spell started on 19 January when the city announced a Code Blue emergency. This measure allowed homeless shelters to relax intake rules so more people could come inside and stay warm. Since then, officials have placed about 1,400 people into shelters. The city also added 64 hotel rooms to increase shelter space. Outreach teams expanded their efforts as well, with at least 150 additional workers sent onto the streets to assist vulnerable residents. Earlier reports confirmed that at least 10 victims were found outdoors. Authorities have not released full details about the remaining deaths. Although temperatures have started to rise, they remain below seasonal averages. The National Weather Service expects readings to hover around 0C this week. Normally, temperatures reach about 4C during this time of year. Dangerous Wind Chills and Ongoing Risks An Arctic air mass swept across the region over the weekend. It brought intense wind chills that made conditions feel even colder than the actual temperature. These conditions increased the risk of hypothermia and frostbite. While the 13 day freezing streak officially ended on Friday, the danger has not fully passed. Melting snow and ice may fall from rooftops without warning. Streets and sidewalks can refreeze overnight, creating hazardous walking and driving conditions. NYC Emergency Management continues to warn residents to remain cautious. City officials advise people to stay indoors whenever possible and check on elderly neighbors, homeless individuals, and anyone without reliable heating. Mayor Mamdani reminded residents that even 35 degrees Fahrenheit is far from warm. He emphasized that the city will continue working to protect New Yorkers during the remaining cold days.
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Extreme Cold in New York City Leaves 18 Dead as Temperatures Slowly Rise

New York City is recovering after a severe cold wave claimed 18…

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