Another New Yorker was found dead outside in the cold, bringing the number of people who perished during the recent deep freeze to 17, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday.
Hizzoner updated the grim tally from a NYCHA building in Far Rockaway, Queens, where he announced a $38.4 million investment to overhaul the housing project’s decrepit heating system.
“Today is the 13th day of this relentless cold,” Mamdani said. “As of this morning, 17 New Yorkers have passed away outside during this cold.”
City Hall officials did not immediately release any identifying information about the person, and said the cause of death was not yet known.
The count of the those who died outside in the cold in the Big Apple has risen again, now totaling 17, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Wednesday. Paul Martinka for NY Post
“As of this morning, 17 New Yorkers have passed away outside during this cold,” Mamdani added.
The other 16 outdoor deaths were recorded between Jan. 24 and Sunday. City Hall officials said it was believed 13 died of hypothermia while the three others were overdoses.
The rising death toll came as the city faces another bitterly cold weekend, with a return of frigid temps, bone-chilling winds and light snow forecast to begin Friday evening, Hizzoner warned.
“There will be a drop come Saturday, with a high in the low twenties and the low plummeting to around five degrees,” he said, wearing a suit jacket a day after facing heat over his hunt for a custom embroidered Carhartt parka as the city was gearing up for last month’s storm.
“At night, wind chill will get us to as low as negative ten,” he said.
A similar forecast was expected for Sunday, which could also see real feel temperatures of -10 degrees, which could continue into Monday.
It is believed 13 of the deaths were due to hypothermia while three others were overdoses. Paul MartinkaThere are nearly two months left in the winter season. In 2023, the latest year for which data are available, 29 New Yorkers died from the cold.
Mamdani has faced criticism for saying city workers would only force people indoors “as a last resort” during the cold spell.
He has stressed that none of the dead were found in homeless encampments — which his administration has refused to clear — despite repeated declarations that the temperatures remain life-threatening.
“These are dangerous, life threatening conditions, and as long as temperatures remain this low, the risk of fatal exposure endures,” Mamdani said Wednesday.
The reversal on encampment sweeps has led to blowback from allies, including Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, who joined Mamdani at the presser Wednesday.
Since the “Code Blue” went into effect on Jan. 19, more than 1,100 homeless people have been placed in shelters and 20 have been involuntarily removed from the streets, the mayor said.
The city continues to encourage New Yorkers to call 311 if they see homeless people who appear to be staying outside despite numerous reports.
“We are continuing to follow up to make sure that these operations are operating at the best possible level,” Mamdani said, declining to offer specifics.
