Investigation sought by Schumer over effect of staff reductions on Texas flood management operations
The U.S. Commerce Department has announced an investigation into the effects of staff reductions on the National Weather Service (NWS) following the catastrophic floods in Texas. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for this investigation, citing concerns that staffing cuts could have impacted forecasting and preparations for the disaster.
The floods, which began on July 4, have resulted in nearly 90 confirmed deaths, with 27 campers and counselors losing their lives at a camp devastated by flooding. The NWS, however, has been praised for its timely and precise forecasting and warnings during the storms, according to the Homeland Security Department.
On the morning of July 3, the NWS office in Austin/San Antonio conducted forecast briefings for local emergency management teams and issued flash flood warnings that evening and the following morning. The National Weather Service remained committed to its mission to serve the American public through its forecasts and decision support services, despite the ongoing staffing challenges.
Schumer's request for an investigation is addressed to the Commerce Department's inspector general, seeking details on existing vacancies, both locally in Texas and nationwide, and what to expect if those roles remain unfilled. The IG's office did not respond to a request for comment.
President Trump, when asked about the impact of staffing cuts, blamed former President Biden and the catastrophic nature of the storm. However, former Federal Emergency Management Director Deanne Criswell warned that cuts to NWS and other NOAA staff would impact emergency response, particularly in flood-prone areas.
If the NWS has less staff, they will have less ability to embed with different jurisdictions to help them understand the impacts of floods. Federal meteorologists and other weather-related staff can help predict where water will rise and whether local infrastructure will sustain it.
Some lawmakers and officials are suggesting that staffing cuts at the NWS could have impacted forecasting and preparations for the floods. The Department of Commerce, however, insists that key positions at the NWS are "fully staffed" despite the government-wide hiring freeze.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has already let go of hundreds of employees in their probationary status and pushed out hundreds more through various separation incentives. The U.S. Coast Guard, on the other hand, saved hundreds of individuals caught in the storms' path.
The Commerce Department re-hired employees brought back when ordered to do so by a federal court after the Supreme Court lifted the injunction. The NWS issued warnings and alerts prior to the storms that caused the floods. The investigation will aim to determine whether staffing vacancies created delays, diminished forecast accuracy, or impeded coordination with local emergency officials.
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