90-Year-Old Woman Among Ten Dead in New York City Amid Severe Winter Storm
NEW YORK, N.Y. — A 90-year-old woman suffering from dementia was among ten people who lost their lives in New York City during a brutal winter storm that swept through the region this past weekend. Doreen Ellis, a resident of Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood, wandered outside in the freezing temperatures and was found dead early Monday morning, underscoring the deadly risks posed by the extreme cold.
Neighbors reported that Ellis had a history of wandering, but this incident occurred during the harshest weather the city has seen in nearly a decade. “She had done that [wandered out] before, but this was in the summertime. Being that it’s cold, you don’t think that somebody will go outside,” said Junior Sharpe, a neighbor who discovered Ellis. She was found wearing only a blue nightgown, a headscarf, and a single sock, with a small white shawl lying nearby.
The tragic death of Ellis is part of a broader toll from the storm, which has claimed ten lives across the city as sub-freezing temperatures gripped the region. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed the fatalities during a press conference, emphasizing the severity of the weather conditions. According to the New York City official website, this storm brought the coldest temperatures the city has experienced in eight years.
The National Weather Service had issued warnings for the area, highlighting the dangers of exposure to the cold, especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with cognitive impairments. The National Weather Service New York office detailed the storm’s impact, including record low temperatures and heavy snowfall that hampered emergency response efforts.
Authorities and community organizations have urged residents to check on elderly neighbors and ensure that those with dementia or other health conditions remain safe indoors during such extreme weather events. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that prolonged exposure to cold can lead to hypothermia and other life-threatening conditions, particularly in older adults.
Emergency services in New York City were stretched thin as they responded to multiple calls related to the storm, including power outages and accidents caused by icy conditions. The NYC Emergency Management office activated its winter weather protocols, coordinating efforts to keep the public informed and safe.
As the city recovers from this deadly storm, officials continue to emphasize the importance of preparedness and community vigilance. The loss of Doreen Ellis serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of extreme weather and the need for comprehensive support systems for the most vulnerable in society.
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