NYC Mayor Mamdani Criticized for Cryptic Tweet Amid Approaching Storm
Mamdani's message about a soccer team's legal troubles drew confusion from residents facing potential flooding and high winds.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced criticism for a cryptic social media post on Friday afternoon while the city was preparing for a significant nor'easter storm.
Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist, tweeted the number '114' on his personal X account without further explanation. The post generated confusion among residents, many of whom questioned its meaning.
The tweet was a reaction to news that the Premier League had found Manchester City, a soccer team, guilty of numerous charges. The team had initially faced 115 charges, and Mamdani, an outspoken fan of rival Arsenal, appeared to be referencing the number of breaches upheld.
Mamdani's focus on the sports team's legal issues drew ire from some New Yorkers who were concurrently preparing for the approaching storm, which was forecast to bring wind gusts up to 50 mph, up to three inches of rain, and coastal flooding.
Governor Kathy Hochul had declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm. Mayor Mamdani's administration issued a travel advisory, urging residents to allow extra time for travel, check transportation status, and avoid low-lying coastal roads during high tide. He also advised those living in basement apartments to be prepared to move to higher floors if conditions became dangerous and to look out for neighbors.
Rain began on Friday evening, with the heaviest expected on Saturday. The city administration warned that localized rainfall could reach up to five inches in areas experiencing repeated heavy downpours.
The nor'easter was already disrupting travel across the Northeast. Major airlines, including American Airlines, JetBlue, Delta, United Airlines, and Southwest, issued travel alerts and fee waivers for flights to, from, or through numerous airports in the region, encompassing the New York metropolitan area.