A Grim Tally Emerges (Image Credits: Unsplash)
New York City – Frigid temperatures have led to 17 deaths from exposure since January 24, surpassing the toll from Hurricane Ida’s aftermath in 2021 and intensifying debates over protections for the unhoused.[1][2]
A Grim Tally Emerges
The victims perished on street corners, in parks, and even outside hospitals amid wind chills plunging well below freezing. None of the deaths linked directly to homeless encampments, according to city officials. This cold snap followed a major winter storm that dumped about a foot of snow across the region.[1]
Details reveal five fatalities in Manhattan, five in Brooklyn, four in Queens, and three in the Bronx. Thirteen cases involved hypothermia, with three attributed to substance overdoses and one undetermined. At least 10 victims had prior contact with the shelter system, highlighting gaps in ongoing support.[2]
City Mobilizes Against the Freeze
Officials activated enhanced Code Blue protocols, which mandate frequent outreach to unsheltered individuals and keep shelters open around the clock. The Fire Department deployed a task force through February 8 to handle cold-related emergencies, while EMS workers received overtime to boost response capacity.[2]…