New York City (NYC) mayor Eric Adams has failed to hire an “extreme weather coordinator” in the last two years, despite yet another major event heading for his citizens, NY Daily News reported.
Former mayor Bill de Blasio created the position of “extreme weather coordinator” following the destruction of Hurricane Ida in 2021, according to the NY Daily News. The position has yet to be officially filled, but apparently Adams has some unnamed member of NYC’s Emergency Management agency taking on the extra work.
News of his inability to fill the role comes less than a week after the city was literally underwater thanks to an extreme weather event and right as another is heading its way. The National Hurricane Center issued a key alert on Thursday, telling those residing throughout New England and Atlantic Canada to prepare for the progress of Tropical Storm Philippe.
5am AST Thu 5th October Key Messages for Tropical Storm #Philippe.
Tropical storm conditions expected on Bermuda beginning tonight. Philippe likely to move over parts of Atlantic Canada & New England this weekend as a Post-Tropical Cyclone.
Latest: https://t.co/9AQe2DFVC5 pic.twitter.com/tmh5hMZOND
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) October 5, 2023
Emma Wolfe, de Blasio’s deputy mayor of administration, previously held the coordinator role until the end of his term, per NY Daily News. However, it was designed to be a permanent “new senior position” within the NYC mayor’s office, and Adams has yet to appoint anyone. (RELATED: Watch Cop Heroically Save Motorist From Insane East Coast Flooding)
Adams was heavily criticized for not warning his citizens of the flood risk posed upon them as hurricane season really starts to ramp up activity. It’s unclear what could have been done to physically mitigate the crisis, but the least he could have done is warn people.