NYC NOW Deadly Cold in New York City: Who Is Most at Risk When Temperatures Plunge?
Feb 16, 2026
Karen Yee, WNYC reporter who probes city data and personal stories. Brittany Kriegstein, WNYC reporter covering public safety and social issues. They discuss recent cold-weather deaths across the city. They describe who was found outdoors versus at home. They explore confirmed hypothermia cases and surprising instances of housed people found outside.
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Use Heaters Safely Indoors
- Keep space heaters on flat surfaces, away from curtains and furniture, and never leave them on in empty rooms.
- Never use a gas oven or stove to heat your apartment because it can fill your home with gas or start a fire.
Not All Victims Were Homeless
- Many people who died outdoors during the cold had housing or family and were not necessarily chronically homeless.
- Hypothermia deaths can involve people who simply didn't make it home or were alone during a sudden temperature plunge.
Kenneth Luna’s Routine Walk Ended Tragically
- Kenneth Luna routinely walked through St. Mary's Park and likely had a few drinks before he never made it back to his Bronx apartment.
- His sister suspects he lay down outside and froze without anyone around to help him.