The recent devastating floods in Texas have prompted discussions about potential links to budget cuts made during the Trump administration, particularly affecting the National Weather Service (NWS). Some Democratic senators, including Chris Murphy, argue that reducing the federal workforce, including meteorologists, might have hampered essential weather forecasts and alerts, thus contributing to the tragedy. Nevertheless, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt contradicted these claims, asserting that the NWS was sufficiently staffed during the floods.
An examination by BBC Verify indicates that while staffing cuts at NWS under Trump reduced personnel numbers significantly, the agency was still able to provide necessary forecasts for the recent flooding. The administration previously proposed a 25% budget cut for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the NWS, but these reductions would not take effect until 2026.
As a result of earlier efficiency initiatives, around 600 employees were lost at NWS, leading to vacancies across various states. Reports indicate some NWS offices in Texas experienced staffing shortages, potentially hindering coordination with local agencies during emergencies. Despite this, experts maintain that the flood forecasts were timely and that the extreme localized nature of the rainfall posed inherent forecasting challenges.
In Texas, some NWS offices were under-staffed due to past layoffs coupled with higher vacancy rates for vital roles. Still, they managed to mobilize additional staff in anticipation of the floods. Meteorologists at NWS stated that they maintained a sufficient number of forecasters on duty throughout the crisis.
Additionally, social media claims regarding a reduction in weather balloon launches — crucial for gathering atmospheric data — have surfaced. NWS has acknowledged some reductions in balloon launches due to staffing issues, but evidence shows that relevant data collection occurred in advance of the floods in Texas.
Ultimately, while some features of the NWS experienced reductions, experts agree that the agency's warnings and forecasts were as effective as possible under the circumstances, challenging the notion that federal staff cuts were responsible for the tragedy.
An examination by BBC Verify indicates that while staffing cuts at NWS under Trump reduced personnel numbers significantly, the agency was still able to provide necessary forecasts for the recent flooding. The administration previously proposed a 25% budget cut for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees the NWS, but these reductions would not take effect until 2026.
As a result of earlier efficiency initiatives, around 600 employees were lost at NWS, leading to vacancies across various states. Reports indicate some NWS offices in Texas experienced staffing shortages, potentially hindering coordination with local agencies during emergencies. Despite this, experts maintain that the flood forecasts were timely and that the extreme localized nature of the rainfall posed inherent forecasting challenges.
In Texas, some NWS offices were under-staffed due to past layoffs coupled with higher vacancy rates for vital roles. Still, they managed to mobilize additional staff in anticipation of the floods. Meteorologists at NWS stated that they maintained a sufficient number of forecasters on duty throughout the crisis.
Additionally, social media claims regarding a reduction in weather balloon launches — crucial for gathering atmospheric data — have surfaced. NWS has acknowledged some reductions in balloon launches due to staffing issues, but evidence shows that relevant data collection occurred in advance of the floods in Texas.
Ultimately, while some features of the NWS experienced reductions, experts agree that the agency's warnings and forecasts were as effective as possible under the circumstances, challenging the notion that federal staff cuts were responsible for the tragedy.
