The administration under Trump intends to reverse most of the cuts made to the National Weather Service earlier this year aimed at improving government efficiency.
According to Mike Flood of R-Neb, Eric Sorensen, D-Ill., along with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has received approval to fill 450 roles, which include meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar engineers for the National Weather Service.
This decision is part of an initiative to rehire for these crucial roles. CNN was the first to report that following a summer filled with severe and deadly weather, scrutiny arose over the NWS cuts, prompting bipartisan calls for their cancellation.
An official cited by NBC News noted that NWS staff were involved during the Texas Flood that resulted in over 130 fatalities. This has spurred agencies to rehire hundreds of essential personnel, raising concerns about the reliability of NWS forecasts. This information came from a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to restrictions on discussing HR matters.
Both Sorensen and Flood expressed their satisfaction with this “postponed news” in a joint statement. They co-hosted discussions around layoffs and early retirements, focusing on safeguarding National Weather Service employees while reclassifying their roles as vital to public safety. Although the bill was presented in the House of Representatives, it has yet to be voted on.
“For months, Congressman and I have been advocating for the necessary support for NOAA and NWS employees who are facing staff reductions,” stated Sorensen in a press release. “The lack of skilled positions has forced NWS offices nationwide to cancel weather balloon launches, abandon overnight staffing, and overburden the remaining meteorologists.
Rep. Mark Alford from R-Mo. also expressed support for the initiative.
A spokesperson for the National Weather Service declined to provide comments.
Officials from NOAA, who were not authorized to speak publicly, informed NBC News that filling the hundreds of vacant positions would take several months. Currently, USAJOBS.GOV lists only nine open roles across NOAA, the parent organization of the National Weather Service.
The NOAA and NWS were not impacted by the controversial cuts implemented during the early months of the second Trump administration, which included job terminations, rehiring, and restructuring of certain employees. The Commerce Department and NOAA dismissed over 600 probationary staff on February 27th, encompassing hurricane hunters, meteorologists, and storm modelers.
Five former directors of the National Weather Service have cautioned that a shortage of staff could cause “unnecessary loss of life.”
Source: www.nbcnews.com
