New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed this morning that at least 13 people have died due to a record-breaking cold snap that has gripped the Northeastern United States. Temperatures dropped to levels not seen in decades, overwhelming the city's emergency shelter systems.

The Mayor has declared a state of emergency, urging residents to stay indoors and check on elderly neighbors. Most of the victims were reportedly members of the city's vulnerable homeless population or elderly individuals living in homes with inadequate heating systems.

Emergency crews are working 24/7 to restore power to thousands of homes after the extreme cold caused several localized grid failures. Schools and government offices across the tri-state area remain closed as the "polar vortex" is expected to linger for another 48 hours.