Severe Cold Wave Hits New York, Resulting in 13 Hypothermia-Related Deaths

New York City has recorded 13 deaths attributed to hypothermia as a severe cold wave has gripped the city and several regions in the United States since January, raising concerns about the impact of extreme weather on vulnerable populations.

Warnings of Record Cold Period

Mayor Zahran Mamdani stated that the city may be facing its longest continuous period of sub-freezing temperatures. He noted that the current cold wave has resulted in 16 fatalities, with 13 cases believed to be primarily due to hypothermia, while the remaining three are linked to drug overdoses.

Emergency Measures to Protect Residents

Mamdani confirmed that local authorities have activated an emergency plan that includes opening warming centers and deploying a fleet of 20 vehicles with medical and social teams to assist at-risk populations. He indicated that the city has conducted over 930 placements in shelters and safe centers, including the involuntary placement of 18 individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others due to their health or social conditions.

Concerning Trends in Cold-Related Death Statistics

Official data reveals that cold-related deaths in New York have increased in recent years, rising from 9 to 27 cases annually between 2005 and 2020, with a further increase to 34 cases in 2021 and 54 cases in 2022, reflecting the growing impact of extreme weather phenomena on the city.