16 People Have Died Amid NYC Cold Snap, Freezing Temperatures: Mayor

NEW YORK CITY — Sixteen people have died amid the recent cold snap and freezing weather in the city the last two weeks, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Monday.

Mamdani confirmed that 13 New Yorkers died from hypothermia and three others may have died from a possible overdose.

None of the 16 people who died were living in homeless encampments, the mayor added. The death toll rose from a previously reported 14 on Saturday.

“Each of these lives lost is a tragedy,” Mamdani said. “My heart is with the families of those mourning their loved ones.”

The city's medical examiner is expected to release a final determination on the cause of death for each person killed.

The city remains under a Code Blue alert. Monday marks the 11th consecutive day of below-freezing temperatures.

Mamdani told reporters that outreach teams have placed more than 930 New Yorkers into shelters and safe havens since the Code Blue was activated. City Hall said they have expanded shelter capacity, relaxed intake rules and worked with faith-based and community-based organizations to scale up outreach to those in need.

“If you see someone in need, please call 311,” the mayor said. “We will get through this cold, and we will get through it together by looking out for one another and by caring for one another.”