Bitter Cold Blamed for at Least 5 Deaths

The region’s biting cold temperatures are being blamed for at least five deaths.

Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Walter Hofman said a 73-year-old Whitpain man whose home had no heat died of hypothermia this week, The Intelligencer reported.

A woman in her 60s was found in West Philadelphia this week with a body temperature of only 71, The Philadelphia Inquirer said. Her body has not yet been identified, authorities said.

So far this winter, five senior citizens have died due to complications from the cold.

• On Jan. 19, 79-year-old Upper Dublin man wandered away from home on Jan. 19 and was later found dead nearby.
• On Feb. 5, a 93-year-old woman who had dementia was found deceased in her driveway in Lower Merion.
• Also on Feb. 5, a 68-year-old West Philadelphia man was transported to Lankenau Hospital to be treated for hypothermia and later died.

“No one gives a damn about anyone else,” Hoffman told The Philadelphia Inquirer. “Look out for your neighbor. Have some compassion. Social services can’t take care of all these people.”

Friday, Feb. 20, will likely the the coldest Feb. 20 since 1893, the Inquirer said.

See also:

• How to Keep Warm During the ‘Polar Plunge’
• How To Protect Your iPhone From The Cold This Winter
• How to Prevent and Deal With Frozen Pipes
• Power Outage? Here’s What to Do

The cold weather will continue over the next few days, with snow expected Saturday.

Here’s a look at the forecast:

• Friday: Partly cloudy, with a low around 3. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight.
• Saturday: Snow, mainly after 1 p.m. High near 32. Wind chill values as low as -1. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible
• Saturday night: Snow, freezing rain, and sleet before 10 p.m., then snow between 10 p.m. and 11p.m., then rain and snow showers after 11 p.m. The rain and snow could be heavy at times. Low around 32. South wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. Little or no ice accumulation expected. New snow and sleet accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
• Sunday: A chance of rain and snow showers before 7am, then a chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. West wind 6 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
• Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.
• Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 19.

Kara Seymour contributed to this report.