As snow that could reach a foot or more began lashing New York City Sunday morning as part of a massive storm sweeping much of the nation, the tally of cold-related deaths across the boroughs climbed to at least five.
The storm is expected to last until Monday afternoon, with the National Weather Service forecasting heavy snow that will turn into a wintry sleety mix late Sunday afternoon into the evening. New Yorkers can expect 8 to 12 inches of snow and sleet, followed by light freezing rain later in the evening.
Mayor Mamdani took to social media late Saturday to announce the five deaths and to offer details about the city’s preparations. The school system will decide by noon Sunday if schools will be closed Monday, they mayor said.
“Today, at least 5 New Yorkers lost their lives. While it’s still too early to determine the causes of death, it is a reminder that every year New Yorkers succumb to the cold. The danger of this weather cannot be overstated,” Mamdani posted on X. “Our teams are scouring the streets, offering shelter to homeless New Yorkers, and helping bring people inside. If you see anyone in need of help, please call 311 so our outreach teams can assist.”
Police on Sunday confirmed they were looking into the deaths as cold-related, and all five victims appeared to be homeless.
In Queens, an unidentified man was found lifeless about 5:35 a.m. Saturday on Hillburn Ave. near Mayville St., a residential block in St. Albans.
Less than 90 minutes later, cops found another unidentified homeless man, unconscious and not breathing, at 69th St. and First Ave. on the Upper East Side. Both were pronounced dead at nearby hospitals.
Their deaths join a tally that includes a 67-year-old man found dead about 7:45 a.m. near Third Ave. and E. 35th St. in Manhattan’s Murray Hill, a 64-year-old woman found outside a home near Remsen Ave. and Glenwood Rd. in Canarsie, Brooklyn, about 9:25 a.m., and an unidentified man found dead around the same time near Warren and Smith Sts. in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn.
Their causes of death will be determined by the city Medical Examiner
In advance of the storm, NJ Transit announced it will be suspending all of its service Sunday.
City sanitation trucks have been salting the streets for hours, and the department announced it will start plowing operations once 2 inches have fallen.
Across the boroughs, residents were emptying store shelves of perishables and other supplies like shovels and snow melt Saturday.
