New York Faces 18 Cold‑Related Deaths in Recent Winter

The city’s winter has taken a heavy toll, with 18 residents losing their lives to the harsh cold.

City Officials Respond

• Call for Help & Oversight
  City officials have reacted strongly, urging more assistance and tighter oversight of outreach efforts.

• Mayor’s Stance
  The mayor pledged to keep families in mind while criticizing the current approach to homeless encampments.
  She notes that none of those who died were found in a shelter or living on the streets, yet critics question the strategy.

• Council Hearing
  A city council hearing is set for Tuesday where officials will explain why they stopped moving people out of camps.
  The meeting will focus on preventing further deaths and whether the city’s policies need changing.

Protective Measures

• Street Teams & Reporting
  The department has increased street teams and asked residents to report anyone stuck outside.

• Shelter & Hospital Moves
  Since January 19, about 1,400 people have been placed in shelters or safe houses.
  The city also moved 33 individuals to hospitals during the Code Blue warning.

Health Findings

• Hypothermia & Substance Use
  Medical examiners say that most of the first five deaths were caused by hypothermia, with alcohol and drugs adding to the risk.
  Three of those cases involved drug overdoses; methamphetamines were a factor in one more.

• Pending Autopsies
  Further autopsies are still pending for the other thirteen deaths, but the mayor notes that some were overdose related.

Historical Context

The city’s response shows both effort and debate about the best way to keep its most vulnerable residents safe during brutal weather.