‘New York determination’ – TikToker behind viral subway flood video speaks to News 12

The floods from Elsa have come and gone, but one TikTok video is making its rounds on social media after a Brooklyn native went viral for her commentary on how New Yorkers handled the flooding.
"It's bad out here folks,” says Katherine G. Mendoza. “People out here with the Missy Elliot garbage bags trying to make it to the train."
There have been videos on social media of New Yorkers walking through waist-deep water to catch a train, and even rainwater pouring down subway stairs just days ago.
Mendoza, who is a TikToker from Williamsburg, gave her take on what she calls the “New York determination.”
"I would never do that. Let me tell you why. I understand that some people live really far – so they got to do what they got to do, but I'm not about to drown in a New York City subway in dirty garbage water."
The video has 7 million views on TikTok.
Mendoza says she made her TikTok account last year when the pandemic hit, and has since gained more than 180,000 followers, and while much of her content is about New York City, she also makes dozens of other funny videos using her many characters such as Motha Royal, who dishes the latest in celebrity gossip.
When she's not making TikToks, Mendoza is juggling many other hats as a writer, producer and host of her “Mess in Progress” podcast. As her TikTok continues blowing up, she says she is hoping it can help pave the way for her future career.
"I definitely want to show-run my own program…just tell stories from my experiences to the same extent that I'm doing on TikTok and I hope TikTok…can take me there,” says Mendoza.