Brutal Cold Grips Boston, Posing Risks to Health and Homes

Frigid temperatures lead to surge in ER visits, frozen pipes, and dangerous ice dams

Jan. 30, 2026 at 7:31pm

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The extreme cold weather in Boston has led to a spike in emergency room visits for cold-related injuries, as well as a surge in plumbing issues from frozen pipes and dangerous ice dams forming on roofs. Experts warn residents to limit time outdoors and take precautions to protect their homes from the dangerous conditions.

Why it matters

The brutal cold snap in Boston is putting significant strain on the city's emergency services and infrastructure, highlighting the public health and safety risks posed by extreme winter weather events that are becoming more common due to climate change. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts from government, healthcare providers, and residents.

The details

Massachusetts General Hospital's emergency department is seeing an influx of patients suffering from frostbite and other cold-related illnesses due to the sub-freezing temperatures. Plumbers in the area are also overwhelmed with calls about frozen pipes, while ice dam removal companies have brought in extra crews to deal with the dangerous buildup of ice on rooftops.

  • The extreme cold hit the Boston area on Friday, January 31, 2026.

The players

Jinny Brown

A visitor to Boston from San Diego who is experiencing the brutal cold weather.

Dr. Catherine Croteau

An emergency medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital who is treating patients with cold-related injuries.

Matthew Donarumo

An employee at Drew Donarumo Plumbing and Heating, which has been overwhelmed with calls about frozen pipes.

Mike Hilborn

The president of RTD Decoration, an ice dam removal company that has brought in extra crews to Boston to address the dangerous buildup of ice on rooftops.

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What they’re saying

“Oh my gosh, I have three layers of goose down on so this is very cold.”

— Jinny Brown (nbcboston.com)

“We are definitely busy with lots of patients who are sustaining injuries or experiencing cold-related illnesses.”

— Dr. Catherine Croteau, Emergency Medicine Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital (nbcboston.com)

“The past two weeks alone we've been flat out, it's just been nonstop.”

— Matthew Donarumo, Employee, Drew Donarumo Plumbing and Heating (nbcboston.com)

“Every time Boston has a real problem with ice like they do when you have this much snow, we're here.”

— Mike Hilborn, President, RTD Decoration (nbcboston.com)

What’s next

Experts recommend that Boston residents limit time outdoors, keep faucets trickling to prevent frozen pipes, and be vigilant for dangerous ice dams forming on rooftops that could lead to water damage.

The takeaway

The extreme cold weather in Boston is straining the city's emergency services and infrastructure, underscoring the need for coordinated efforts to address the public health and safety risks posed by increasingly severe winter weather events driven by climate change.