As of February 4, 2026, New York City is under an extended enhanced "Code Blue" emergency due to a historic and life-threatening cold snap. Mayor Zohran Mamdani has issued several urgent pleas for New Yorkers to stay indoors and for those experiencing homelessness to seek immediate shelter.
Current Emergency Status: Enhanced Code Blue
The city has been in a Code Blue status since mid-January. Under these protocols:
* No One Denied: Shelters are required to accept anyone seeking a bed; traditional intake rules and eligibility forms are bypassed.
* Intensified Outreach: Teams canvass the streets every two to four hours to connect vulnerable individuals with warm locations.
* Warming Centers: 17 health and warming centers have opened citywide, along with a fleet of 20 mobile warming buses operating from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
* Rerouted 311 Calls: Calls to 311 regarding homeless individuals in need are currently being rerouted to 911 for faster emergency response.
New Shelter Resources
In response to a tragic spike in cold-related deaths (at least 16 reported since the storm began), the administration has accelerated the opening of several "low-barrier" facilities:
* Lower Manhattan: A new Safe Haven shelter at 320 Pearl Street (106 beds) opened on February 3.
* Upper Manhattan: Additional single-room-occupancy units were opened this week to accommodate those who are hesitant to use traditional congregate shelters.
* Hospitals: Hospitals have been instructed to limit discharges for patients who do not have a warm place to go.
What You Can Do
* If you see someone in need: Call 311 immediately to request an outreach team. If it is a medical emergency, call 911.
* Stay Informed: Sign up for Notify NYC alerts (the city's official emergency notification system) for the latest weather and shelter updates.
* Landlord Issues: If you are a tenant without heat, landlords are legally required to maintain at least 68°F during the day and 62°F at night. Call 311 if your building is not meeting these requirements.
Would you like me to find the specific locations of the warming centers or the current sub-zero wind chill forecast for your borough?
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