Mayor Zohran Mamdani addressed a fatal Bronx fire and detailed extensive city-wide preparations for an incoming winter storm, including snow removal, cold weather protocols, and public safety advisories for residents to stay indoors.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani held a press conference on January 24, 2026, to discuss two main topics: a tragic fire in the Bronx and the city’s preparations for an upcoming winter storm.
The mayor first addressed a four-alarm fire in Eastchester, Bronx, which resulted in 15 injuries and one fatality (0:21-0:47). He thanked the FDNY and other city agencies for their immediate response and confirmed that utilities in the affected building were shut down, with all 148 apartments vacated (1:21-1:26). A reception center was opened at a nearby school, and the Red Cross is assisting displaced residents (1:27-1:32). An investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing (2:01-2:06).
Following this, the mayor detailed the city’s winter storm preparations:
- Snowfall and conditions: Snow is expected to begin late Sunday evening, intensifying around 5:00 a.m. Monday (2:32-2:42). Heavy snowfall is anticipated in the late morning and early afternoon, with low visibility and winds up to 35 mph, creating near-blizzard conditions (2:53-3:08). The snow is expected to turn to sleet by Sunday evening and clear by early Monday morning (3:09-3:20).
- Expected accumulation and cold temperatures: The city anticipates at least 8 to 9 inches of snow, along with a prolonged period of frigid temperatures, possibly the coldest in 8 years (3:22-3:42).
- City agency preparations: Various agencies have undertaken extensive measures:
- DSNY has brined highways and major roadways (3:59-4:02), and over 2,000 workers will staff 12-hour shifts, deploying more than 700 salt spreaders and 2,300 plow vehicles (6:36-6:51).
- Public schools have prepared for remote learning (4:05-4:11) and conducted pressure testing for virtual operations (4:14-4:22). A decision on Monday’s school status will be announced by 12:00 p.m. tomorrow (15:02-15:13).
- NYCHA increased staffing for weather-related repairs (4:23-4:26).
- Parks workers pre-salted parks (4:27-4:28).
- FDNY increased firefighters per engine company and is operating under enhanced readiness (4:30-4:37).
- MTA activated its incident command system and emergency operations center (4:37-4:43).
- NYC Emergency Management activated its winter weather plan and held daily coordination calls (4:45-4:57). They also used 311 reports from past storms to address previous service shortcomings (4:59-5:14).
- Homeless services and public safety: A “Code Blue” is in effect, ensuring homeless New Yorkers have access to shelter beds (5:37-6:01). 311 calls for warmth access will be rerouted to 911 during this period (6:15-6:22).
- Travel advisory: A hazardous travel advisory will be in effect on Sunday and Monday. New Yorkers are urged to avoid driving and unnecessary travel (9:00-9:12) and to stay indoors (9:16-9:23).
- Suspended services: City bike service will be suspended starting 12:00 p.m. tomorrow (8:13-8:17), and early voting for tomorrow and Monday has been suspended by the State Board of Elections (8:17-8:22). New Yorkers are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC alerts (8:23-8:38).
The mayor expressed gratitude to the city’s workers for their tireless efforts in preparing for the storm and for their ongoing commitment to keeping the city safe (10:11-10:22, 13:36-14:36). He emphasized that every New Yorker will receive the same level of service regardless of their zip code or neighborhood (11:03-11:11).
