Despite significant warnings of severe winter weather, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided to keep schools open during a serious nor’easter on Thursday. NBC’s Al Roker blasted the mayor for the “poor policy” on Twitter and urged him to take accountability.
Following criticism from even the teachers union, De Blasio accused the National Weather Service of underestimating the amount of snowfall there would be overnight on Thursday.
Roker certainly wasn’t buying it. The TV weatherman is in Russia for the Winter Olympics, but has a daughter attending New York's public schools.
Credit: Getty Images
He went on a Twitter tirade against the “goofball policy" in New York City:
Why are schools all around NYC closed? It's going to take some kid or kids getting hurt before this goofball policy gets changed
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014So now my daughter's NYC public school is being let out early. @NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools Is it worth putting kids' safety at risk?
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014And how about all the parents and caregivers who have to scramble to get their kids home? Is there no one there with any common sense?
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014I knew this am @NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools would close schools. Talk about a bad prediction. Long range DiBlasio forecast: 1 term
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014@BillseBlasio Gov. Cuomo declaring state of emergency for the Mid-Hudson, New York City, and L.I. as a Nor'Easter storm continues affect NY
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014How dare @NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools throw NWS under the school bus. Forecast was on time and on the money
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014Mr. Mayor, I could never run NYC, but I know when it's time to keep kids home from school
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014the NWS forecast from Wednesday at 4pm. A Winter Storm Warning in effect, a total of 5"-11". We have over 11" so far pic.twitter.com/gBaQdHAcGH
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014 New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio listens to a question while testifying before a joint legislative budget hearing on Monday, Jan. 27, 2014, in Albany, N.Y. De Blasio is urging state lawmakers to support his proposed tax hike on wealthy city residents to pay for universal prekindergarten. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
In response, de Blasio issued no apology but rather hit back at Roker.
“I respect Al Roker a lot,” de Blasio said, adding, “It’s a different thing to run a city than to give the weather on TV.”
The mayor also said many parents depend on schools to watch over their children while they are at work.
(H/T: Mediaite)
