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WASHINGTON – Commerce Department Acting Inspector General Duane Townsend told lawmakers this week his office will evaluate the National Weather Service’s actions around the catastrophic flooding in Texas Hill Country, alongside a broader audit of the agency’s staffing.
U.S. Reps. Greg Casar, D-Austin, and Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, wrote Townsend last week asking about the lead-up and response to the flooding, as well as preparedness for future emergencies.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also had requested Townsend examine weather service staffing and if shortages contributed to the “catastrophic loss of life and property” in the Texas floods.
Townsend responded to lawmakers with letters outlining how weather service staffing had been on his office’s radar before the Kerr County flooding.
Political Points
Reports on top management challenges have consistently highlighted workforce issues at the weather service going back to fiscal year 2023, he wrote.
“In our fiscal year 2024 TMC report, for example, we noted that vacancy rates for NWS physical science and meteorology staff had not improved, despite increased funding intended to meet staffing requirements,” Townsend wrote.
The weather service’s hiring timelines were almost twice the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s 80-day standard, contributing to heavier workloads, burnout and increased turnover, Townsend wrote.
“Prior to the recent flash flooding in and around Kerr County, Texas, my office began planning an audit to determine whether staffing levels, hiring limitations, and operational practices at NWS field offices have impacted the agency’s ability to effectively respond to high-impact weather events through timely forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services,” Townsend wrote.
The office is now initiating that audit and has additionally convened a review team dedicated to examining the circumstances surrounding recent Texas floods.
“This special review will gather relevant facts regarding NWS actions and response specifically relevant to the catastrophic flash flood event in Texas,” Townsend wrote, adding the office’s work could result in findings and recommendations.
Andrew Schmidt, senior legislative and external affairs officer for the Office of Inspector General, declined to provide a timeline for when the audit and review will be completed.
The statewide death toll from the Central Texas flooding has risen to at least 135, with dozens more still missing, Gov. Greg Abbott announced this week.
Democrats seeking information about the federal flooding response have said there’s an urgent need to understand what contributed to the disaster to save lives in future extreme weather emergencies.
President Donald Trump defended the federal response during his visit to Kerr County in the aftermath of the flooding, describing the disaster as unprecedented in scale.
Republicans have specifically disputed suggestions weather service staffing cuts exacerbated the disaster, highlighting agency warnings issued ahead of the flooding.
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WASHINGTON – Commerce Department Acting Inspector General Duane Townsend told lawmakers this week his office will evaluate the National Weather Service’s actions around the catastrophic flooding in Texas Hill Country, alongside a broader audit of the agency’s staffing.
U.S. Reps. Greg Casar, D-Austin, and Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas, wrote Townsend last week asking about the lead-up and response to the flooding, as well as preparedness for future emergencies.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also had requested Townsend examine weather service staffing and if shortages contributed to the “catastrophic loss of life and property” in the Texas floods.
Townsend responded to lawmakers with letters outlining how weather service staffing had been on his office’s radar before the Kerr County flooding.
Political Points
Reports on top management challenges have consistently highlighted workforce issues at the weather service going back to fiscal year 2023, he wrote.
“In our fiscal year 2024 TMC report, for example, we noted that vacancy rates for NWS physical science and meteorology staff had not improved, despite increased funding intended to meet staffing requirements,” Townsend wrote.
The weather service’s hiring timelines were almost twice the U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s 80-day standard, contributing to heavier workloads, burnout and increased turnover, Townsend wrote.
“Prior to the recent flash flooding in and around Kerr County, Texas, my office began planning an audit to determine whether staffing levels, hiring limitations, and operational practices at NWS field offices have impacted the agency’s ability to effectively respond to high-impact weather events through timely forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services,” Townsend wrote.
The office is now initiating that audit and has additionally convened a review team dedicated to examining the circumstances surrounding recent Texas floods.
“This special review will gather relevant facts regarding NWS actions and response specifically relevant to the catastrophic flash flood event in Texas,” Townsend wrote, adding the office’s work could result in findings and recommendations.
Andrew Schmidt, senior legislative and external affairs officer for the Office of Inspector General, declined to provide a timeline for when the audit and review will be completed.
The statewide death toll from the Central Texas flooding has risen to at least 135, with dozens more still missing, Gov. Greg Abbott announced this week.
Democrats seeking information about the federal flooding response have said there’s an urgent need to understand what contributed to the disaster to save lives in future extreme weather emergencies.
President Donald Trump defended the federal response during his visit to Kerr County in the aftermath of the flooding, describing the disaster as unprecedented in scale.
Republicans have specifically disputed suggestions weather service staffing cuts exacerbated the disaster, highlighting agency warnings issued ahead of the flooding.
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