
[Kalé Carey]
A DEADLY STORM RATTLED THE COUNTRY AS BUDGET CUTS LINGER ACROSS THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION.
EXPERTS AND SCIENTISTS WARN PUBLIC SAFETY IS AT RISK AS HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES DEPART FROM THE AGENCY.. WITH SOME AMERICANS EVEN TAKING TO THE INTERNET TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE LAYOFFS.
IN A POST ON X ABOUT THIS PAST WEEKEND’S STORMS, A USER SAYS TONIGHT IS A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF WHY WE NEED THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. SOMEONE ELSE EXPRESSED FEARS, CALLING IT “SCARY” THAT THE AGENCY IS LOSING ITS FUNDING.
STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS CONTACTED NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FIELD OFFICES ALONG THE PATH OF THE CROSS-COUNTRY STORM TO INQUIRE IF STAFFING SHORTAGES ARE AFFECTING THEIR OPERATIONS.
WE WERE DIRECTED TO THE NOAA. IN A STATEMENT, THE FEDERAL AGENCY SAYS THEY CAN’T DISCUSS INTERNAL PERSONNEL OR MANAGEMENT MATTERS.
ACCORDING TO THE WHITE HOUSE, THIS WEEKEND’S WEATHER BROUGHT THE DEATH TOLL TO AT LEAST 40 PEOPLE.
MILLIONS OF AMERICANS FROM THE MIDWEST TO THE SOUTH BRACED FOR 80 MPH WINDS, AS WELL AS TORNADOES AND LARGE HAIL.
IN ITS EFFORT TO REDUCE FEDERAL SPENDING, THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY WANTS THE NOAA TO CUT MORE THAN ONE THOUSAND EMPLOYEES FROM THE NOAA’S WORKFORCE… OR ABOUT TEN PERCENT.
THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY TRACKS DAILY WEATHER AND SEVERE FORECASTS, WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FALLING UNDER ITS OVERSIGHT.
OFFICIALS MONITOR HURRICANES, FLOODS, TSUNAMIS AND TORNADOES, WHILE NOAA ALSO WATCHES OCEANS, CLIMATE AND MARINE LIFE.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTED THAT PROBATIONARY STAFF WERE LAID OFF, MANY OF WHOM ASSISTED WITH PROVIDING FORECASTS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ROLLED BACK BALLOON LAUNCHES IN NEW YORK AND MAINE, WITH BOTH FORECAST OFFICES CITING STAFFING SHORTAGES AS THE CAUSE. ONCE STAFFING LEVELS ALLOW, THE SUSPENSION WILL BE LIFTED.
THE NOAA SAYS THEY ARE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING TIMELY INFORMATION, RESEARCH AND RESOURCES AND PLAN TO “continue to provide weather information, forecasts and warnings pursuant to our public safety mission.”
THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS THEY’RE ASSISTING ALL STATES IMPACTED BY THE STORM. PRESIDENT TRUMP SENT THE NATIONAL GUARD TO ARKANSAS TO AID IN RECOVERY EFFORTS.
FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS, I’M KALÉ CAREY.
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