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Winds Making Brutally Cold Weather Across Tri-State Even Worse

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It was so cold Monday, the moisture on top of rocks outside Central Park was frozen solid.

The streets were quieter because of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Most of those daring enough to go outside were either out because they had to or because they were feeling brave.

It was a hang-on-to-your-scarf type of day. Most people were so bundled up, the only way to bear the bone-chilling blast was with a sense of humor.

"It's hot outside, you didn't know?" said Erachie Brown of the Upper West Side.

Brown was all covered up for her walk to the bus stop.

"The trick is making sure everything is tucked in so air can't get in," Brown said.

Watch: CBS2's John Elliott With The Latest Weather Forecast 

For others, the frigid temperatures and icy cold complicated their morning commute.

"I had a broken pipe this morning. I was late to work," said Mike Negri of the Upper West Side.

"It's insane, actually. I woke up. I went in the car. I almost couldn't even turn the car on. It was absolutely cold," added Michael Meyer of Paramus, New Jersey.

MORE: Winter Survival Guide | What Is A Code Blue?

The high was only expected to reach the low teens and the wind chill made the air feel well below zero. For those stuck working outside in the cold, it was almost unbearable.

What We're Seeing...

CBSN New York's Tony Aiello From Yonkers, N.Y.

In Yonkers, a water feeder line running into the house of Ramon Sandoval burst in the cold, putting the boiler and other belongings in his basement at risk of possible water damage, reports CBS2's Tony Aiello.

Elsewhere in the city, the Yonkers Raceway cancelled races to help protect the horses and spectators from the extreme cold out on the track.

CBSN New York's Meg Baker From Woodbridge, N.J.

In New Jersey, families stuck at home headed out to the Woodbridge Center Mall as much for the warmth as the shopping.

"I've witnessed people literally sprinting to their cars as they exited the mall because you can't be out here for too long," said CBS2's Meg Baker. "This wind is brutal."

CBSN New York's Tara Jakeway From Riverhead, N.Y.

On Long Island, dangerous winds were helping turn parking lots and streets into sheets of ice, reports CBS2's Tara Jakeway.

MORE: Weather Center | School Closings

Around The Tri-State Area

In New York City, Noufou Sawagogo delivers groceries.

"It's very hard, very hard," Sawagogo said.

CBS2 caught up with some tourists from Florida, who said they were making the most of their trip to the frozen Big Apple.

"The last two days have been great. Today we're going to the Statue of Liberty on the ferry," Angela Steinruck said.

But another group of people, armed with hand warmers and blankets, received the prize for the most committed in the cold. They waited outside for more than two hours to get tickets for "Waitress" the musical, for them a must-see before heading home.

"We're crazy!" said Caitlyn McBride of Orlando, Florida.

"I have to do it for my friend," tourist Taylor Knell added.

Government officials warned people to be careful, asking that they minimize skin exposure and time outside. They said the brutal conditions are not only a concern for your health, but for those driving in it as well.

"Extremely cold air has swept across the state, with wind chills of 25 to 35 below zero forecast upstate through Monday afternoon," said Michael Kopy, governor's office director of emergency management. "This arctic blast is of significant concern in the lower Hudson Valley, where the dropping temperatures are likely to cause flash freezing on the roads."

In anticipation of the cold, the New York City Housing Authority activated additional heating response teams and its incident command center to help minimize any disruption to heat and quickly deal with any outages.

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