Mayor Mamdani says dozens of warming centers, hotel shelters, and outreach efforts remain in place as dangerous winter weather stretches into a third week
At least 18 people have died in New York City during an ongoing stretch of extreme winter cold, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday, as officials continue to expand emergency shelter capacity and outreach across the five boroughs. The most recent death was reported Saturday near East Gun Hill Road and Seymour Avenue in the Bronx. NYPD has not released further details about the victim or the other deaths, citing ongoing investigations.
City officials said the prolonged cold, which began weeks ago, reached its most dangerous point over the weekend. Saturday marked the city’s coldest day in three years, with wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph and wind chills plunging temperatures to hazardous levels. An extreme cold warning remained in effect from Saturday through Sunday.
In response, the city reportedly opened 60 new hotel-based shelter units and expanded its network of warming centers. Officials also increased the number of safe haven beds and deployed about 150 additional street outreach workers, supplementing more than 400 already assigned through the Department of Homeless Services. Per the city, outreach teams have placed hundreds of people into shelters and safe havens since the city activated its Code Blue emergency response.
The severe weather also hurt infrastructure in parts of the city. In Bushwick, Brooklyn, more than 1,800 customers lost power due to an electrical failure that began Saturday. Some residents reported using their cars as temporary heat sources while awaiting restoration.
Courtesy Heather Khalifa via AP PhotoCredit: Heather Khalifa via AP Photo
Mamdani is urging all New Yorkers to stay indoors. “With this cold continuing to endure, so too will our efforts. While City government is doing everything in our power to offer warm spaces, shelter and protection, I am echoing my call to our fellow New Yorkers. We all must do our part to keep one another safe over the days to come. If you see someone in need, please call 311 immediately so our outreach workers and first responders at FDNY and NYPD can provide assistance. And to those who may consider themselves more comfortable on the streets, I want to speak directly to you to implore you — come inside. These temperatures are too low and too dangerous to survive. Please wait out the cold in a safe place with a warm bed,” Mamdani stated via the NY Press Office.