Weather Service Staffing "Clearly a Concern" Ahead of Deadly Texas Floods
- On July 4, Texas officials blamed the National Weather Service for flooding that killed at least 24 and left dozens missing, citing forecast failures amid staffing cuts.
- Earlier this year, DOGE's budget cuts under Trump eliminated about 600 NWS staffers, impairing forecast accuracy and experts warned of deadly consequences.
- Texas officials say NWS forecasted 3–8 inches, but thunderstorms dumped over 10 inches, demonstrating forecast error due to staffing cuts.
- Floods killed at least 37 people, including 14 children, with about 25 girls missing from Camp Mystic, as rescue efforts continue across Texas.
- Former NWS directors warn that continued budget cuts threaten lives during the peak hurricane season, as bipartisan efforts have yet to restore funding amid ongoing staffing shortages.
14 Articles
14 Articles
National Weather Service defends its flood warnings amid fresh scrutiny of Trump staff cuts
Fatal floods in Texas that left thousands scrambling for safety with little warning have sparked a fresh round of scrutiny on Trump administration cuts to the National Weather Service
Authorities in Texas underestimated the danger of the heavy rainfall in recent days, because the weather service could not pass on crucial information in time. This was due to a severe shortage of staff, reports The New York Times. The floods that followed claimed the lives of more than fifty people.
Ex-weather bosses sent haunting letter warning Trump cuts could lead to deaths weeks before flood
In the weeks leading up to the devastating floods in Texas, five former directors of the National Weather Service sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump warning that continued cuts to the budget would result in the deaths of people.
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