Chill Factor of 25 Below Zero Hits Northeast

Arctic sub-zero cold and blustery 25 m.p.h. winds stung the Northeast today, dropping the wind chill factor to 25 below zero and sending record numbers of homeless people to soup kitchens, shelters and churches for refuge.

Forecasters atop isolated Mt. Washington, N.H., estimated a temperature of 21 below zero and 116 m.p.h. winds combined for a chill factor of about 200 below zero.

“That’s a chill factor that falls off the chart,” said meteorologist Chris Smallis. “That’s ridiculous. You go outside and freeze instantly.”

Winds of 25 m.p.h. dropped the effective temperature to 25 below in parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut and health officials warned people--especially the elderly--to guard against frostbite and dehydration.

The temperature fell to 3 below zero at Montpelier, Vt., and to 9 degrees at Boston, where record numbers of homeless people crowded shelters, soup kitchens and churches.

“We had the highest number of people we’ve ever had, close to 700, which is double our capacity,” said Ralph Hughes, assistant director of Boston’s Pine Street Inn.

“We only have 350 beds, so when the men and women who stay here exceed that number they just sleep wherever they can find a spot. In the lobbies, they’ll put some newspaper on the floor, or sleep on a bench, or whatever’s necessary.”