Overview
- City officials and the Medical Examiner now attribute 22 deaths to the deep freeze, including 15 people found outdoors and seven hypothermia deaths at private residences.
- Testimony indicated at least 15 of the initial 18 outdoor fatalities were due to hypothermia, with drugs or alcohol noted as contributing factors in several cases and three outdoor deaths now believed to be overdoses.
- Data presented to the Council showed 1,183 homeless-assistance reports to 311 during the cold spell, with outreach teams unable to locate people in about 72% of cases and many others refusing services; calls were later routed to 911 under Enhanced Code Blue.
- The standard for involuntary removals drew sharp questioning, as officials reported 85 transports against people’s will during the emergency (33 by DHS and 52 by the NYPD) and confirmed NYPD paused subway ejections during the coldest period.
- Officials cited roughly 1,400 placements into shelters, safe havens, and warming centers, added warming buses and hotel rooms, and reported 5,700 cold-related 911 calls with 680 hospital transports, while agency leaders faced resignations and ongoing scrutiny.