NEW YORK — The biting cold of a major winter storm has brought daily life to a standstill in parts of New York City — and the Filipino community is feeling its weight.
Several Filipino-owned stores remained closed as below-freezing temperatures swept through the city, forcing many business owners to stay home and keep their doors shut.
In Little Manila along Woodside, Queens, usually filled with chatter and foot traffic, the streets were quiet. Shops were dark. Customers were few. The cold was simply too dangerous.
The storm has already claimed lives.
Five people were found dead outdoors in New York City, with authorities believing the extreme cold played a major role. The storm dumped more than 19 inches of snow across the Northeastern United States, creating hazardous conditions for millions.
The Philippine Consulate in New York said it has not yet received reports of Filipinos affected by the storm. Still, officials assured the community that they are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to assist anyone in need.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned that this storm is not just about snow.
“This is bringing temperatures colder than any sustained period this city has experienced in the past eight years,” he said.
He stressed the deadly reality of the situation.
“The intense cold can be fatal,” Mamdani added, noting that even before the snow began to fall, at least five New Yorkers had already lost their lives outdoors. He offered condolences to the families left behind, calling the deaths a painful reminder of how vulnerable many residents are during extreme weather.
The impact stretches far beyond New York.
An estimated 200 million people across 34 U.S. states have been affected by the massive winter storm. Strong winds have triggered widespread power outages, while several states remain under a declared state of emergency.
Travel has also been thrown into chaos. More than 9,600 flights were canceled on Sunday alone as the storm tightened its grip.
As the cold lingers, communities — including Filipino families and small business owners — continue to brace themselves, hoping for safer days ahead and warmer temperatures soon.
