A Cold Wave Hits New York, Causing 13 Deaths Due to Hypothermia

New York City has recorded 13 deaths related to hypothermia amid a severe cold wave affecting the city and several regions in the United States since January, raising concerns about the implications of extreme weather on the most vulnerable populations.

Warnings of the Longest Cold Spell in the City's History

New York City Mayor, Zahran Mamdani, stated that the city may be facing the longest continuous period of temperatures below freezing, noting that the current cold wave has resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals, including 13 cases where hypothermia is believed to be a primary factor in their deaths, while the other three cases were linked to drug overdoses.

Emergency Measures to Protect Residents

Mamdani confirmed that local authorities activated an emergency plan that included opening warming centers and deploying a fleet of 20 vehicles equipped with medical and social teams to assist at-risk residents.
He noted that the city has conducted over 930 sheltering operations in safe shelters and centers, in addition to forcibly relocating 18 individuals after confirming they posed a danger to themselves or others due to their health or living conditions.

Concerning Trends in Cold-Related Death Statistics

Official data shows that the number of deaths related to cold waves in New York has increased in recent years, ranging from 9 to 27 cases annually between 2005 and 2020, before rising to 34 cases in 2021, and then to 54 cases in 2022, reflecting the escalating impact of extreme weather phenomena on the city.