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Democrat Phil Murphy Blames ‘Lousy’ Forecasts For Snowstorm Chaos

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Michael Bastasch DCNF Managing Editor
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New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy blamed “lousy” weather forecasts in response to criticisms of his administration’s handling of the chaos that ensued during Thursday’s sleet and snow.

“It came much stronger and hit us harder than any organization had forecast, and that is a fact,” Murphy, a Democrat, said during a press conference Friday morning.

Murphy did say his administration “could have done better,” but put most of the blame on weather forecasters. New Jersey and New York City got more snow than expected, but for days, weather forecasts projected plenty of snow covering the region. (RELATED: House Democrats Are Fighting Over What To Do About Global Warming)

“Part of it is the forecasts were lousy and I’m not going to let the forecasters off the hook,” the governor said. “This whole region got crushed.”

The northeastern U.S. got its first taste of wintry weather Thursday as heavier-than-expected snowfall ground traffic to a halt in the greater New York City area. Thousands lost power, buses were delayed and, by the evening, authorities had responded to more than 500 car accidents.

New Jersey transportation officials began salting roads early Thursday, but were prevented from plowing them by commuters leaving work early, Transportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti said at the press conference, who apologized to commuters for the delays.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also claimed state officials were caught off guard by the snowstorm.

“I think the snowfall was higher in Jersey and New York City than they were anticipating and I think it came down faster,” the Democrat said, according to the North Jersey Record.

Meteorologists fired back at Murphy’s comments. NBC News broadcast meteorologist Bill Karins said state officials “should have been prepared anyways” for snowfall.

News 12 meteorologist Mike Rizzo called Murphy’s blaming of weather forecasters “a very strawman argument.”

Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also faced criticism for chaos in the streets as snow came down Thursday, including from Democrats and liberal pundits.

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