The death toll from weeks of extreme cold in New York City has risen to 18, city officials said Sunday, after another person was found outdoors in the Bronx.
The latest death occurred Saturday near East Gun Hill Road and Seymour Avenue.
“Each life lost is a tragedy, and our thoughts are with their families,” the official said.
The fatalities come after one of the coldest stretches in years.
What You Need To Know
The number of cold-related deaths in New York City has risen to 18
Arctic air brought wind chills below zero and the coldest conditions in three years
The city opened 60 hotel shelter units and 62 warming centers and expanded outreach efforts
Officials urge residents to limit time outdoors and call 311 if they see someone in need of shelter
Arctic air blasted the city over the weekend, bringing wind chills below zero and feels-like temperatures as low as negative 10 degrees. Saturday marked the coldest day the city has seen in three years, with wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph.
An Extreme Cold Warning was issued from 6 p.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. Sunday — the first time the alert has been used since it was created in 2024.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani and other city officials urged residents to stay indoors if possible, warning the conditions could be lethal. A Code Blue remains in effect.
About 60 new hotel shelter units opened over the weekend, along with 62 warming centers. The city also deployed additional vehicles and expanded street outreach efforts across the five boroughs.
Jim Martin of the Association of Community Employment, based in Long Island City, said the mayor contacted the organization last week to assist with outreach.
“This is the greatest city in the world, and this is why. Because we take care of each other in the end. New Yorkers are New Yorkers,” Martin said. “We encountered over 100 folks, and we interacted with about 90% of those folks, and they were interested in learning more about warming centers and drop-in centers around the city where they could stay safe. And I think it had a lot to do with the fact that our folks had been in their shoes before.”
The Legal Aid Society has also called for expanded outreach. The mayor said school nurses trained in outreach have been added to support Department of Homeless Services workers in getting people off the streets.
As temperatures begin to ease slightly, officials are still warning New Yorkers to remain cautious.
The Office of Emergency Management said frostbite can set in within minutes in extreme cold. Residents are advised to limit time outdoors, cover exposed skin and remain alert to risks including frozen pipes and power outages.
City officials are also reminding New Yorkers to call 311 if they see someone who may need shelter so outreach workers or first responders can assist.