Debate Erupts over Role Job Cuts Played in Deadly Texas Floods
CENTRAL TEXAS, JUL 9 – Over 100 deaths resulted from flash floods worsened by staffing cuts and reduced funding at NOAA and the National Weather Service, officials said.
- Flash floods struck Texas Hill Country over the Independence Day weekend, resulting in more than 100 fatalities and leaving dozens unaccounted for.
- The disaster raised questions about whether staffing cuts and vacancies at the National Weather Service contributed to slower evacuations and higher death tolls.
- Under President Trump's tenure, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service experienced significant reductions in staff, including the loss of numerous meteorologists and scientific personnel, which undermined crucial expertise, collaboration between agencies, and research essential for accurate weather forecasting.
- Neil Jacobs, Trump's nominee for NOAA administrator, supports the administration's 27% budget cut but vows to prioritize weather service staffing and improves warning systems.
- Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic Minority Leader, called for an investigation into whether reduced staffing levels resulted in forecast gaps that may have played a role in the severe fatalities experienced in Texas.
21 Articles
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How NOAA cuts could affect you
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — State representatives are blaming National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service cuts as reasons why the Texas flooding tragedy occurred. NOAA is currently understaffed by 20-40% and the Trump administration plans to cut even more funding. Under the bill $200 million more would be taken away, totaling $2.2 billion dollars cut from their budget. This would cause NOAA to close all of thei…
Texas Floods Increase Concerns Over National Weather Service Budget And Staffing Cuts
Source: Anadolu / Getty Over the holiday weekend, tragedy struck in Texas when flash floods killed at least 94 people, with many more still missing. As the devastation from the Texas floods continues to grow, so too have concerns over the Trump administration’s budget and staffing cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS). According to NPR, the NWS lost 600 employees earlier this year as part of widespread layoffs and buyouts throughout the fe…
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