New York records 13 deaths due to a historic cold wave
Authorities in New York City have reported 13 deaths directly attributable to hypothermia, amid a severe cold wave that has gripped the city and large parts of the United States since January. These alarming statistics highlight the severity of the weather conditions affecting the region, which have put city agencies on high alert.
New York mayor's statements and warnings of a record-breaking period
Commenting on the crisis, New York City Mayor Zahran Mamdani stated that the city could be facing a historic weather event, saying that New York “may be in the midst of the longest continuous period of temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) in its history.” This statement reflects the magnitude of the challenge facing the city’s infrastructure and residents, especially its most vulnerable populations.
In a press statement, Mamdani explained that the total number of deaths during this wave reached 16. Medical reports confirmed that hypothermia was the primary cause in 13 of these cases, while the remaining three were attributed to drug overdoses coinciding with the harsh weather conditions. The mayor highlighted a crucial point regarding the circumstances of the deaths, noting that none of the victims were sleeping in a tent on the street at the time of their passing, and that some had previously contacted shelter services. This raises questions about the adequacy and speed of the response to individual cases.
Mobilization to rescue the homeless and urgent shelter measures
In response to this humanitarian crisis, the city has intensified its efforts to protect the homeless and those without shelter. Mamdani confirmed that authorities have deployed a fleet of 20 vehicles equipped with specialized healthcare teams to search for those in need of assistance on the streets.
The mayor added, “As of this morning, we have conducted over 930 shelter-in-place operations, and we have had to forcibly relocate 18 New Yorkers who were deemed a danger to themselves or others by refusing shelter in this deadly cold.” These measures are part of emergency programs typically activated under “Code Blue” when temperatures drop to life-threatening levels.
Historical context and escalating casualty figures
This wave reinforces a worrying trend in cold-related death statistics in New York. According to official statistics, the annual death toll from frostbite ranged between only 9 and 27 cases between 2005 and 2020. However, recent years have seen a significant increase, with the number rising to 34 deaths in 2021 and reaching 54 deaths in 2022.
This ongoing escalation is putting increasing pressure on city decision-makers to review housing policies and address the phenomenon of homelessness, especially in light of climate change, which is making polar cold waves more frequent and severe, turning winter into a high-risk season for residents of sidewalks and streets in one of the world's largest cities.
