In the extreme cold snap hitting the northeast, Rhode Island has been hit particularly hard. Homeless shelters are filled to capacity, and churches across the state are helping out with the overflow. Residents are not necessarily homeless, reported personnel from the shelters, but they cannot afford to pay their heating bills.

In Syracuse, N.Y., wind chill reached a dangerous minus 26 over the weekend. Classes were canceled for many students Friday, and the daytime high was minus two degrees.

In New York City, it was 15 degrees Friday afternoon. The normal high is 38.

In Fort Drum, N.Y., it was minus 18 Saturday morning with a wind chill of minus 35.

In parts of Vermont, temperatures dropped to minus 35 Friday night.

Overnight Saturday, temperatures were expected to hit seven degrees in New York City, and drop below zero in the suburbs. The wind chill was forecast to be 20 below, according to the National Weather Service.

Warmer temperatures were expected by Sunday.

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