Published 3 days ago • loading... • Updated 7 hours ago

Staff cuts forced this forecast office to shut overnight. Then, a tornado hit.

On Friday, staff members at the Jackson, Kentucky branch of the National Weather Service worked overnight shifts in preparation for severe weather before fatal tornadoes struck Pulaski and Laurel Counties.
The decision to increase staffing was made as the probability of extreme weather events grew, amid a 31% vacancy rate for meteorologists caused by the loss of over 560 employees following previous federal workforce reductions.
Jackson is one of at least four NWS offices nationwide operating below 24/7 capacity due to widespread shortages that hinder staff shuffling for severe weather, flooding, and upcoming hurricane demands.
Tom Fahy, legislative director for the union, emphasized that despite staffing gaps, the quality and promptness of tornado warnings remained uncompromised, playing a crucial role in saving lives and assisting local officials during the severe weather event.
The shortages may force more forecast offices to reduce operating hours soon and increase risks of forecast misses and forecaster burnout despite ongoing mitigation and staffing transfer efforts.

Insights by Ground AI

Does this summary seem wrong?

32 Articles

All

Left

Center

Right

WBAL-TV

+8 Reposted by 8 other sources

Center

Tornadoes expose staffing crisis at National Weather Service

The National Weather Service faces staffing shortages as tornadoes hit Kentucky, raising concerns about future severe weather preparedness.

7 hours ago·Baltimore, United States

Read Full Article

Latin Times

Lean Left

DOGE Cut Several Kentucky Weather Forecasters Just Weeks Before Tornado Came Barreling Through

Following DOGE-led staffing cuts to weather forecasters in Kentucky, a deadly tornado struck, raising questions about the government's cost-saving measures.

19 hours ago·New York, United States

Read Full Article

Lexington Herald Leader

Center

Trump cuts to National Weather Service leave Kentucky offices understaffed

President Donald Trump’s cuts to the National Weather Service have left Kentucky’s three NWS offices in Jackson, Paducah and Louisville with low staff

1 day ago·Lexington, United States

Read Full Article

Daily Kos

Left

Trump cuts weather service as hurricane season approaches

Donald J Trump, President of the United States, wallows in his disdain for science and sets the stage for the citizens of the country to suffer the consequences. Having executed massive cuts to the primary science division of NOAA, Trump may get a...

1 day ago·United States

Read Full Article

The Independent

Reposted by

The Independent (US)

Lean Left

Cuts to National Weather Service tested Kentucky office staffing ahead of tornadoes

Deadly tornadoes ripped across Kentucky on Friday, killing at least 18 people

1 day ago·London, United Kingdom

Read Full Article

CNN

+9 Reposted by 9 other sources

Lean Left

Short staffing at NWS in Kentucky did not affect tornado warnings for deadly storms, union says

The Jackson, Kentucky, office is one of at least four such facilities across the country that is so short-staffed that it is no longer routinely operating 24/7.

2 days ago·Atlanta, United States

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year