New York City: 13 Deaths Due to Cold Wave

At least 13 people have died in New York City due to a severe cold wave affecting the city. Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that hypothermia played a role in the deaths.

According to Mamdani, 16 New Yorkers died outdoors during the cold wave, with hypothermia being a factor in 13 cases. The other three cases appear to be due to overdose. None of these individuals were homeless at the time of their death.

New York City may be experiencing the longest continuous period of sub-zero temperatures in its history. The municipal authority has mobilized 20 vehicles with health personnel and emergency heating centers to address the situation.

The city's financial controller, Mark Levine, estimated that tens of thousands of New Yorkers are homeless, especially families with children. Almost 95% reside in municipal shelters.

Between 2005 and 2021, New York City recorded between 9 and 27 deaths annually linked to the cold. This number increased to 34 in 2021 and 54 in 2022.