New York ( CNN ) -- New York Mayor Bill de Blasio , who took office 44 days ago promising to bring together residents of a divided city , was widely vilified Thursday for keeping the nation 's largest school system open during a brutal storm expected to leave up to 14 inches of snow in some areas . While millions of children in the region were given the day off , New York City public schools -- with 1.1 million students -- remained open , triggering an avalanche of anger from many students , parents and even one well-known weather anchor . `` It 's always a tough decision based on imperfect information , '' de Blasio told reporters late Thursday morning . The mayor said the National Weather Service reported as little as 3 inches of snow on the ground at the start of the school day , with warmer conditions than in previous storms . Since 1978 , he said , New York City schools have closed due to snow just 11 times . `` At the time , '' he said , `` we thought our children would be able to get to school safely . '' On Thursday , attendance in city 's public schools was 44.65 % . Gov . Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Thursday for New York City , Long Island and the Mid-Hudson areas . `` These regions are expected to continue to receive heavy snow that may accumulate at rates of around two to three inches per hour , which will make it difficult for plows to keep some roads clear . New Yorkers should stay off of the roads and remain in their homes until the worst of the storm has passed , '' the governor said in a statement . On January 3 , with only three days in office , de Blasio closed schools when snow combined with frigid temperatures in the first `` polar vortex '' of the year . But his administration was criticized for not canceling school on other days , including the January 22 storm that brought about a foot of snow to New York . `` There are huge number of parents for whom the consistency of the school schedule is absolutely necessary , '' de Blasio said . `` They are going to work , they have no choice . If they ca n't get their kid to school , they do n't have another option . There are huge numbers of parents for whom their kid getting to school also means their child will have a good meal , and in some cases , two meals . And so , the fact is , it 's a very big deal to some parents . '' 5 reasons schools hate snow days . Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina , noting that the snow had mostly stopped in the late morning , said : `` It is absolutely a beautiful day . '' Many others disagreed with the decision . `` I understand the desire to keep schools open . The only thing that trumps that is safety , '' Michael Mulgrew , president of the United Federation of Teachers , the city 's teachers union , said in a statement . `` Having students , parents and staff traveling in these conditions was unwarranted . It was a mistake to open schools today . '' The New York City Department of Education 's Facebook page exploded with angry comments . `` It was a mistake to open schools and mayor de Blasio and Carmen Farina should be ashamed of themselves for allowing it , '' wrote Steve Caruso . `` It does not show concern for safety it shows stupidity ! ! ! ! '' Snookie Cameron wrote : `` Maybe Farina should keep the schools open late for the kids to get dinner . It seems that school is n't for an education anymore but only to get food . It is not meals on wheels ! ! '' Even NBC `` Today '' show weather anchor Al Roker laid into the mayor on Twitter from Sochi , Russia : `` Mr. Mayor , I could never run NYC , but I know when it 's time to keep kids home from school . '' When asked at the news conference about Roker 's comments , De Blasio said : `` It 's a different thing to run a city than to give the weather on TV , '' he said amid laughter . `` How about all the parents and caregivers who have to scramble to get their kids home ? Is there no one there with common sense ? '' Roker said in another Tweet . `` It 's going to take some kid or kids getting hurt before this goofball policy gets changed . '' By midday , nearly 10 inches of snow had fallen in Manhattan 's Central Park , according to the National Weather Service . `` Are conditions perfect ? No , they 're not , '' de Blasio said , adding that basic services were functioning . In 2013 , more than 21 million children nationwide had free or reduced-price lunches , or roughly 70 % of the total students who ate school lunches , according to the USDA 's Food and Nutrition Service . More than 23 million households received SNAP benefits , known as food stamps , that same year . `` So many families depend on their schools as a place for their kids to be during the day , a safe place where they are not only taught , they get nutrition , and they are safe from the elements , '' de Blasio said . School closures announced with 'Ice Ice Baby ' CNN 's Steve Kastenbaum contributed to this report .
NYC decision to open public schools during blizzard draws wrath of parents . City school system , with 1.1 million students , is nation 's largest . De Blasio : `` We thought our children would be able to get to schools safely '' Governor declares state of emergency for New York City , other areas .