NEW YORK — At least 10 people were found dead outdoors across New York City during Winter Storm Fern, city officials confirmed Tuesday, as dangerously low temperatures settled over the region.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the fatalities, noting that official causes of death are still under investigation. While authorities have not yet confirmed hypothermia in every case, the deaths occurred during one of the coldest stretches the city has experienced in recent years.

According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, several of the deaths were recorded overnight as temperatures plunged below freezing, WPIX reported.. Among the victims was a 90-year-old Brooklyn woman living with dementia. Loved ones later identified her as Doreen Ellis according to Gothamist.

Family members say she left her apartment during the night and was later discovered in a backyard not far from her home. Neighbors told local reporters that she had previously wandered outside during warmer months but had never done so in such extreme cold. She was found lightly dressed despite the freezing conditions.

The storm brought snow, ice, and sustained sub-zero wind chills to the Northeast, creating hazardous conditions for those without stable housing and for elderly residents living alone. Emergency responders conducted welfare checks and cold-exposure calls throughout the weekend.

In response, city officials have expanded emergency protocols, increasing street outreach efforts and opening additional warming centers across all five boroughs. Intake procedures at shelters have also been eased to allow more individuals to come indoors during the cold snap.

“We may not yet know the precise medical determination in each case,” the mayor said, “but we know that vigilance saves lives.” He urged residents to check on elderly relatives and neighbors and to contact 311 or 911 if someone appears at risk.

Winter Storm Fern serves as a sobering reminder that extreme weather is not just an inconvenience in New York — it can be fatal.