Seven Die in NYC Cold Snap at Private Homes

Officials say deaths occurred during recent brutal cold, raising questions about housing conditions

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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New York City officials have reported that seven people died due to cold exposure while at private residences during the recent brutal cold snap, in addition to 18 people found dead outside. The deaths have raised questions about the maintenance of the city's housing stock and whether enough is being done to protect vulnerable residents from dangerous weather conditions.

Why it matters

The indoor deaths highlight ongoing concerns about the ability of New York City's housing, especially older and lower-income buildings, to maintain adequate heat during extreme cold weather. This tragedy comes as the city grapples with the impacts of climate change and the increasing frequency of dangerous weather events.

The details

The seven indoor deaths occurred since January 19, when the city's 'Code Blue' cold weather alert went into effect. It is unclear if any of the buildings had faulty heating systems, though many apartment buildings struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures in winter. The news comes as Mayor Zohran Mamdani's handling of the cold weather crisis has faced intense scrutiny, with a City Council panel grilling administration officials on the deaths.

  • The seven indoor deaths occurred since January 19, when the city's 'Code Blue' cold weather alert went into effect.
  • The recent cold snap began in late January and ended in early February 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, whose handling of the cold weather crisis has faced intense scrutiny.

Julie Menin

The City Council speaker, who said 'Every person who freezes to death in the city is a reminder that systems that are designed to protect human life are failing the people who need them most.'

Molly Wasow Park

The commissioner of the Department of Social Services, who is serving her final days in the Mamdani administration.

Zach Iscol

The city's emergency management commissioner, who is also serving his final days in the administration.

Crystal Hudson

The councilwoman from Brooklyn who chairs the General Welfare Committee, who said the indoor deaths were lives 'cut short by conditions that should never be fatal in a city as resource rich as ours.'

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What they’re saying

“Every person who freezes to death in the city is a reminder that systems that are designed to protect human life are failing the people who need them most.”

— Julie Menin, City Council speaker

“These are lives 'cut short by conditions that should never be fatal in a city as resource rich as ours.”

— Crystal Hudson, Councilwoman

“Winter weather is just one example of how extreme weather conditions in New York City can be extraordinarily dangerous across many contexts.”

— Zach Iscol, Emergency management commissioner

What’s next

The city plans to hold a series of public hearings for tenants to lodge complaints about their homes, as officials grapple with the fallout from the cold snap and work to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

The takeaway

This tragedy highlights the urgent need for New York City to address the maintenance and habitability of its housing stock, especially for lower-income residents, in order to protect vulnerable populations from the dangers posed by extreme weather events driven by climate change.