Sixteen people have been found dead outdoors across New York City amid the stretch of freezing temperatures that has followed last week’s winter storm, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday.
“In 13 of these cases, preliminary findings indicate that hypothermia played a role, and three of these deaths appear to be overdose deaths,” Mamdani said at a news briefing. “We await final results from the medical examiner’s office and will inform New Yorkers as we learn more.”
What You Need To Know
Sixteen people have been found dead outdoors across New York City amid the stretch of freezing temperatures that has followed last week’s winter storm, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday
Mamdani said “preliminary findings” indicated that hypothermia played a role in 13 of the deaths, while three appeared to be “overdose deaths”
Based on information available so far, none of the 16 people were living in homeless encampments at the time of their deaths, the mayor said
The 16 deaths were recorded as of Monday morning, the mayor noted, up from the 13 deaths city officials reported on Friday. The NYPD has only confirmed 10 of them.
Based on information available so far, none of the 16 people were living in homeless encampments at the time of their deaths, Mamdani said.
“Each of these lives lost is a tragedy. My heart [is with] the families of those mourning their loved ones,” he said. “We are continuing to do everything in our power to get every New Yorker into a shelter where they will be warm.”
Temperatures are expected to remain below freezing through the first week of February. With the cold forecast continuing, Mamdani said the city is ramping up outreach efforts to contact vulnerable New Yorkers and place them in shelters.
New York City remains under a Code Blue, and city officials are urging residents to call 311 if they see someone in need.
Mamdani said the city has expanded shelter capacity, relaxed intake rules and increased outreach efforts, with more than 930 placements to shelters and safe havens made during the last week.
Officials have also expanded the city’s fleet of mobile warming units to 20 vehicles and added 50 new single-room shelter units for people uncomfortable with other forms of shelter, the mayor said.
“If you are hearing me speak right now and you are not sure if you will be looked after, please, let me make myself clear: Every single person will be cared for. No one will be turned away,” he said.
Mamdani also called on New Yorkers to check on neighbors during the cold spell, particularly older adults, people with disabilities and those without reliable access to heat.