Did US government cuts contribute to the Texas tragedy?

July 7, 2025

The article examines claims that Trump administration cuts to federal workforce affected the National Weather Service's (NWS) response to recent Texas floods. While the NWS lost about 600 of its 4,200 staff through buyouts, early retirements, and terminations since January, climate experts indicate forecasts and warnings for the Texas floods were issued appropriately. Some experts suggest staffing shortages may have impacted coordination between NWS offices and emergency services, as both the San Angelo and San Antonio offices had vacancies including meteorologist positions.

Who is affected

Residents of Texas flood-affected areas, particularly in Kerr County
National Weather Service employees and offices, particularly in San Angelo and San Antonio
Local emergency management services that rely on NWS coordination
Communities receiving weather forecasts and warnings

What action is being taken

NWS offices are temporarily increasing staffing during dangerous weather events
The San Antonio office increased forecaster staffing from the typical two to "up to five on staff" during the flooding event
The Trump administration is continuing its efficiency drive through the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge)
Democrats are raising concerns about federal workforce cuts affecting weather forecasting capabilities

Why it matters

Adequate staffing at weather service offices affects the quality of forecasts and warnings for extreme weather events
Weather service staffing impacts coordination with emergency services during disasters
The NWS has lost approximately 14% of its workforce (600 of 4,200 staff)
About half of NWS offices now have a 20% vacancy rate, double the rate from a decade earlier
Future proposed 25% cuts to NOAA's $6.1 billion budget could further impact weather forecasting capabilities

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC