Storm Deaths Reach 10, Testing Mamdani's Handling of Weather Emergency

Mayor Mamdani vows to do more to get people into shelters as cold snap continues in New York City.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 5:39pm

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The death toll from the major winter storm that hit New York City has risen to at least 10, according to Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The mounting fatalities come as a test of Mamdani's handling of the weather emergency, with concerns raised about the city's efforts to protect its most vulnerable populations, including the homeless, from the dangerous cold.

Why it matters

The rising number of storm-related deaths and the risk to those living outside has drawn more concern, highlighting the challenges the city faces in protecting its homeless population during extreme weather events. Mamdani's response to the crisis will be closely watched as an early test of his administration's ability to manage emergencies and care for the city's most vulnerable residents.

The details

After initially saying the dead did not appear to be homeless, Mamdani later acknowledged that some of the victims had prior interactions with the city's homeless services. The city has been in a 'Code Blue' emergency state since January 19, loosening shelter intake requirements and sending outreach teams to connect people with assistance. However, Mamdani said the continuing cold snap has compelled the city to implement 'additional emergency protocols' beyond Code Blue.

  • On Saturday, two men were found dead outside in Manhattan and another two in Queens.
  • On Sunday, a 64-year-old woman and a man of undetermined age were found dead outside in Brooklyn.
  • On Monday, a 90-year-old woman was found dead in Brooklyn and a 47-year-old man was found dead in Queens.
  • On Tuesday, a man of indeterminate age was found dead in the Bronx.
  • New York City could possibly breach the freezing point next Monday or Tuesday, according to a National Weather Service meteorologist.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City, who took office on January 1 and is facing his first major weather emergency test.

Dave Giffen

The executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, who described the high number of cold-related deaths as unprecedented in his lifetime.

Jessica Ramos

A state senator representing parts of Queens, who is trying to reach a relative of one of the victims found buried in snow near a city health department building.

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What they’re saying

“I can't remember anytime in my life when so many people have died in such a short period of time from the cold.”

— Dave Giffen, Executive Director, Coalition for the Homeless (The New York Times)

“These are all preventable deaths.”

— Jessica Ramos, State Senator (The New York Times)

“When the cold is this deadly, we need to meet the moment and leave no stone unturned.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (The New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This crisis highlights the urgent need for the city to strengthen its efforts to protect the homeless and other vulnerable populations from the dangers of extreme weather events, which are likely to become more frequent due to climate change. Mayor Mamdani's response will be closely watched as he seeks to demonstrate his administration's ability to effectively manage emergencies and prioritize the wellbeing of all New Yorkers.