The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting icebreaking operations in New York Harbor and the Hudson River amid a stretch of frigid temperatures, the likes of which the city hasn’t seen in years. The frozen waterways have impacted commercial water traffic, posing a hazard, according to the USCG. B ecause of this, the Coast Guard is focusing its icebreaking efforts to manage certain “waterways essential to the continued delivery of fuel, heating oil, and other vital commodities and services, while also reducing the risk of flooding by managing ice formations in rivers.” “Winter brings freezing temperatures and ice formation on New York waterways, which can adversely impact safe navigation, winter fuel deliveries, and public transportation,” Capt. Jonathan Andrechik, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, said in a statement. “Our crews are working around the clock to keep waterways as safe and navigable as possible while coordinating closely with our partners.”  The USCG has three tugs homeported in Bayonne, New Jersey, that it specifically uses for icebreaking operations. Freezing conditions in the tri-state area As the tri-state area continues to dig out of this weekend’s snow storm, it has been grappling with dangerously low temperatures, that have iced over local waterways, and in general have proven deadly. At least 10 New York City residents had lost their lives since they were found outdoors amid bitterly cold temperatures in the past few days, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said earlier this week. At a press conference Wednesday, Mamdani said no additional outdoor deaths had been reported but noted that of the 10 deaths in the city, hypothermia played a role in seven of them. Beyond those concerns, officials say the cold weather will mean homes lose heat faster. Apartments with weak insulation or heating problems may struggle to stay warm. Pipes could freeze. Cars may have trouble starting. NYC’s OEM says people without reliable heat, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, and those with medical conditions face the highest risk. Anyone who sees someone at risk outdoors is asked to call 311, and with a Code Blue in effect, Mamdani says that will route the call directly to 911. Across the U.S., at least 75 deaths were reported in states dealing with extreme weather, according to NBC News. The fresh influx of Arctic air is likely to sustain freezing temperatures in places already covered in snow and ice. ...read more read less