Tropical Storm Irene hit New York City over the weekend, and while the damage—particularly in low-lying areas like Broad Channel and Hamilton Beach—was significant, New Yorkers were spared from many of the doomsday scenarios that were originally predicted.
As the city continues to clean up, people are now questioning whether our politicians overreacted by ordering 370,000 residents from their homes and shutting down mass transit.
That’s ridiculous.
Listen, we’re not the biggest fan of Mayor Mike Bloomberg, especially with his policies during his disastrous third term. But given his options, Bloomberg made the right decision.
Irene could have been much worse, and as the storm approached, it was difficult to determine how it would impact the city.
“You can’t prepare for the best case, you have to prepare for the worst case,” Bloomberg told the city on Saturday afternoon. We couldn’t agree more.
While some might scoff at the damage Irene caused in the city, we must realize that without these safety precautions it could have been worse. How many people would have died if residents stayed in dangerous coastal areas? What would have happened if the MTA’s tunnels and subway systems flooded with people trapped inside?
Bloomberg’s disastrous Christmastime blizzard response was definitely on his mind, even if he won’t admit it. This doesn’t absolve Bloomberg from that response, but it shows how an effective leader can help prepare and act upon an impending weather emergency.
In the end, Bloomberg made quick, strong decisions with the information he had, and he stuck to his guns. That’s the type of city executive we need to see more often.
