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Outdoor deaths tied to NYC's extreme cold snap rise to 16, Mayor Mamdani says
By
Paige Oamek
Published Feb 2, 2026
Modified Feb 2, 2026
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Spencer Platt/Getty Images
By
Paige Oamek
Published Feb 2, 2026
Modified Feb 2, 2026
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At least 16 people have now died outside in New York City during the recent period of extreme cold, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday.
The death toll is two more than officials stated in a previous update over the weekend.
The new total comes as meteorologists say the city will likely continue its run of around- or below-freezing temperatures through next weekend.
“The greatest danger posed by this sustained cold is to vulnerable New Yorkers who remain exposed to the elements,” Mamdani said at a press conference at the David Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building on Monday.
The mayor said preliminary findings indicate hypothermia played a role in 13 of the deaths, while three of the deaths appear to be overdose-related.
He said his administration is still awaiting the official causes of death from city medical examiners.
“Each of these lives lost is a tragedy. My heart is with the family of those mourning their loved ones,” Mamdani said.
City Hall officials said they are increasing outreach to unsheltered New Yorkers amid the frigid temperatures, as well as relaxing shelter intake rules, expanding shelter capacity and operating warming sites across the five boroughs throughout the “Code Blue” weather emergency.
As of Monday morning, the mayor said, officials have moved 930 people into shelters or other indoor locations during the cold stretch. He said 18 people “who were determined to be a danger to themselves or to others” have been transported involuntarily to health care facilities.
Mamdani said authorities do not currently believe any of the people who died outside were living in homeless encampments at the time of their deaths.
Officials continue to encourage New Yorkers to call 311 about anyone staying outside who appears vulnerable to the cold.
These calls will be routed to 911 during the Code Blue so that first responders can quickly mobilize, according to City Hall.
The death toll linked with the cold spell exceeds the 14 deaths in the city due to the remnants of Hurricane Ida in 2021, according to a 2024 study by researchers at the city’s health department.
A 2018 study on cold-related deaths by health department staff found that over a period of about 10 years, three-quarters of those who perished were exposed to the cold outdoors and about half of that group were homeless.
The study said in particular that substance use can cause people to become incapacitated outside and make it harder for them to survive in dangerous weather.
Gothamist reported last week that some of the people who died in the current cold snap had histories of homelessness, drug use or pre-existing health issues, according to officials, family and neighbors.
In at least two of the cases, the people had their own apartments. And in one of those cases, bystanders in Manhattan called emergency responders twice in the hours before the man was found dead, but he refused assistance the first time and was said to be missing the second time.
The city recorded an average of 19 cold-related deaths each year between 2005 and 2022, official data shows. There were 54 such deaths in 2022, up from 34 the year before, per the data.
Mamdani said Monday that a man he met at a Safe Haven shelter on Sunday told him he had been living in an airport for five months before he was brought to the shelter.
“The conditions that people are living through, they are conditions that none of us should be comfortable with,” the mayor said. “And so we’re going to use every single resource at our disposal to continue to build on this work to open up more shelters, open up more beds and ensure that New Yorkers are staying warm.”
This story has been updated with additional information.
Tagged
Health and Science
Politics
Zohran Mamdani
new york city
public safety
Paige Oamek
Paige Oamek is a reporter on Gothamist & WNYC's day-of general assignment desk.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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