New York City is grappling with its deadliest cold snap in years, as eight people have succumbed to hypothermia and frostbite outside the city's streets. Since Saturday, the bodies of these victims have been discovered across Brooklyn and the Bronx, under temperatures that plummeted into the teens and low twenties.
Two fatalities were reported on Monday morning alone - a 90-year-old woman found unresponsive in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and an unidentified male whose body was discovered outside his apartment building in Norwood, Bronx. The cause of death is currently under investigation by the medical examiner's office.
Andrew Chappotin, a homeless man who has been on the streets for three years, shared his harrowing experience with Gothamist. He described the bone-chilling cold that made it impossible for him to move, and how he had to spend much of Friday night walking around before deciding to seek refuge at his sister's apartment. Chappotin said he knew he had made the right decision when he heard about the people who had been found dead.
Chappotin's story highlights the tragic reality faced by many homeless New Yorkers who are forced to navigate the streets in freezing temperatures without adequate support or resources. He shared a chilling account of how people often walk past those in distress, ignoring their pleas for help.
City officials have acknowledged that some of the victims had previously been in contact with the city's shelter system, but the exact cause of death remains unclear. Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged New Yorkers to call 311 if they believe someone outside needs help, as the city remains under Code Blue - a protocol activated when temperatures drop below freezing through the night.
Shelters have an open-door policy during Code Blue declarations, meaning no one is turned away during the cold. Over 170 homeless New Yorkers have been placed in shelters or indoor locations since the Code Blue started, while at least three people were forcibly taken to hospitals due to medical necessity. The mayor's words of condolence to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives ring out against a backdrop of tragedy and human suffering.
As the city struggles to cope with this crisis, one thing is clear: it is time for a more comprehensive response to address the root causes of homelessness in New York City. The government must do more to provide support and resources to those most vulnerable to the elements - before it's too late.
Two fatalities were reported on Monday morning alone - a 90-year-old woman found unresponsive in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and an unidentified male whose body was discovered outside his apartment building in Norwood, Bronx. The cause of death is currently under investigation by the medical examiner's office.
Andrew Chappotin, a homeless man who has been on the streets for three years, shared his harrowing experience with Gothamist. He described the bone-chilling cold that made it impossible for him to move, and how he had to spend much of Friday night walking around before deciding to seek refuge at his sister's apartment. Chappotin said he knew he had made the right decision when he heard about the people who had been found dead.
Chappotin's story highlights the tragic reality faced by many homeless New Yorkers who are forced to navigate the streets in freezing temperatures without adequate support or resources. He shared a chilling account of how people often walk past those in distress, ignoring their pleas for help.
City officials have acknowledged that some of the victims had previously been in contact with the city's shelter system, but the exact cause of death remains unclear. Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged New Yorkers to call 311 if they believe someone outside needs help, as the city remains under Code Blue - a protocol activated when temperatures drop below freezing through the night.
Shelters have an open-door policy during Code Blue declarations, meaning no one is turned away during the cold. Over 170 homeless New Yorkers have been placed in shelters or indoor locations since the Code Blue started, while at least three people were forcibly taken to hospitals due to medical necessity. The mayor's words of condolence to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives ring out against a backdrop of tragedy and human suffering.
As the city struggles to cope with this crisis, one thing is clear: it is time for a more comprehensive response to address the root causes of homelessness in New York City. The government must do more to provide support and resources to those most vulnerable to the elements - before it's too late.
I'm thinking about Andrew Chappotin's story... it got me thinking, we all have a responsibility to look out for each other, no matter what our situation is. Just because someone is homeless doesn't mean they can't reach out for help, and it's not okay that people are walking past them in distress. I mean, how would you feel if you were freezing on the street and nobody stopped to check on you? 
We gotta ask ourselves, what would we do if we were in their shoes? It's time for us all to be more compassionate and look out for each other, especially during tough times like this. 
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr. 
This cold snap is really hitting home for people on the streets 
. It's heartbreaking to hear Andrew's story and know that he had to choose between staying out in the cold or risking his life by walking around, only to find a safe haven at his sister's apartment 
. We need to do better as a city to support our most vulnerable citizens and provide them with the resources they need to stay warm and safe during times like this 
.
This is like something out of a movie, you know? Those homeless guys struggling to find warmth and help... it's just heartbreaking.
It's crazy how many people are out here without a roof over their heads.
I don't know, it feels like we're losing a part of our city. I keep thinking about all the old New Yorkers who used to live on the streets back in the day, how they had to tough it out and still managed to thrive. It's not that easy anymore, I guess.
. 8 people dead? That's just insane! It's not just about the cold either, it's about people being left to fend for themselves no matter what. I mean, come on, we've got homeless shelters that are supposed to help, but they're like islands in the sea. And yeah, I get it, some people might be too proud or whatever to ask for help, but let's not forget about those who can't just walk away from their problems. The city needs to step up its game and provide more resources for people struggling with homelessness. It's not just a matter of throwing money at the problem, we need systemic changes that actually address the root causes. Otherwise, we're just gonna keep seeing this kind of tragedy over and over again 
.
We gotta be more compassionate, you know? And it's not just about the homeless guys; anyone could get caught off guard and end up in this situation. The city needs to step up its game and provide better support for people who are struggling. It's like they say, "You can't put a price on human life." 
, it's time for action 
. Those freezing outside deserve a warm bed & a hand up 
. Code Blue can't save everyone 
We need some real solutions here, like affordable housing and mental health services for those on the streets. Can't keep relying on short-term fixes when homelessness is such a systemic issue...
like what happened to all these ppl outside they cant even survive in temps like that 
maybe thats why ppl are forced to live on the streets in the first place...
it's time for some real action, not just words 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around this cold snap, but it just hits me how messed up our shelter system is 
also, why cant we have better weather forecasting systems so ppl can plan ahead and stay safe? 
just saw that like 8 ppl died from hypothermia & frostbite outside nyc streets its so cold they cant even survive on their own no shelters for them till code blue but still 170 homeless ppl got placed in shelters 
. I mean, 8 people have lost their lives because they couldn't find shelter or help? It's heartbreaking and infuriating at the same time 
. The mayor's words are sweet, but actions speak louder, you know?
. We need a comprehensive plan that tackles the root causes of homelessness, including affordable housing, mental health services, and job training programs 
. It's time for our government to step up and provide real help to those who need it most 
. This crisis is a wake-up call for us to do better 
.