NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani warns New Yorkers about extreme cold "lethal conditions" this weekend

New York City and the Tri-State Area are preparing for what is expected to be the coldest weather of the season so far this weekend. 

Officials in New York are trying to get the word out, particularly after 17 people have died in cold weather since last month's snow storm. 

"These will be lethal conditions"

The Big Apple remains in a Code Blue, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. 

"We are now headed into what will be some of the coldest days yet, with real-feel temperatures plummeting to 10 below. These will be lethal conditions. Being outside for even a short period of time could pose a severe risk," Mamdani said. 

Mamdani said homeless outreach teams have made more than 1,250 placements into shelters and safe havens since Jan. 19, and involuntary transported 27 New Yorkers. 

Mamdani said the city is adding 65 new hotel shelter units for people who don't want to go to congregate settings. In addition, the city will operate 62 warming centers and vehicles, including opening 10 public schools as warming centers, and adding two new CUNY warming centers. 

Mamdani said outreach efforts are being stepped up, to include working with people who were formerly homeless themselves to help encourage those currently without homes to seek shelters. 

Mamdani encouraged New Yorkers to continue to call 311 if they spot someone in need of assistance on the streets. 

Mamdani was asked if he feels responsible for the 17 deaths in the cold so far. 

"I think as the mayor I'm responsible for city actions across the five boroughs. And I think that I have to be clear about that because for far too long New Yorkers have been told to cast blame in different places, and I am the mayor. So when a New Yorker has a critique about the way the city has been running or the city has been responding, it's my job to hear them," Mamdani said. 

Health concerns of bitter cold

"When someone is exposed to the cold without the proper clothing, it could be measured in minutes how long they could develop frostbite, hypothermia and suffering some of the effects," Dr. Matthew Projansky, associate chair of emergency medicine at Northwell Health said. 

Those with diabetes or nerve damage are especially at risk of not noticing the symptoms, Dr. Projansky said. 

"It's just as risky, and others with peripheral neuropathy, they're not necessarily feeling that they're not cold, because they're not getting the numbness as a change in sensation because they have numbness to begin with, so they won't realize it," he said. 

New Yorkers cope with the cold

Fort Greene resident Renee McMillan said she and her neighbors can't catch a break with the mounds of snow and trash on the curbs, corners and bus stops - and now the frigid temperatures this weekend. 

"It's been a mess with the snow and the trash," McMillan said. 

She's concerned about her three kids crossing the street. 

"They just can't cross how they normally would cross. I don't know, it's just really not good," she said. 

"It's treacherous," Fort Greene resident Steve Epp said. "Every corner, every intersection, it's a nightmare ... cars get pushing into the bike lane. There's just no room." 

The Department of Sanitation says it's already melted more than 230 million pounds of snow. As far as trash pickup goes?

"Pickup might be on a different shift than usual. So, if you see bags and cans out for pickup, we might get them in the evening instead of the morning. This is because we have sanitation workers spread among all shifts to facilitate ongoing snow removal. Note also that recycling collection remains on a slight delay, less than 24 hours," a DSNY spokesperson said. 

The bitter cold also has the MTA making preparations and double checking heating systems on subways and buses. 

Extreme Cold Warning this weekend

An Extreme Cold Warning will be in place for the entire region, with strong wind gusts expected of up to 45 mph. Those winds will drive the feels-like temperatures below freezing. 

By Sunday morning, wind chills will range from -15 degrees around New York City to as low as -30 degrees far north and west. They'll only reach the teens that afternoon. 

Click here for the full First Alert Weather forecast.

Fire safety concerns

As temperatures plunge, fire safety becomes a particular concern as people go to unusual lengths to keep warm. The FDNY is urging people to check on their loved ones, especially those who are older, and make sure their homes are fire safe, with space heaters kept away from anything flammable and should only be plugged directly into the wall, never into an extension cord or fire strip. Smoke alarms should also be checked and operable, the FDNY said.