Hurricane anxiety after staffing cuts
Dear Editor:
Every year at the beginning of hurricane season, I get a little anxious.
This year brings extra anxiety due to staffing cuts to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Hurricane Center (NHC). These cuts include hurricane and climate researchers that develop storm models. Hurricane Hunters are NOAA scientists that fly directly into storms to measure information needed for forecasts; cuts reduced their number by 25%. The Melbourne NWS office was already shortstaffed before the federal government’s staff reductions.
This hurricane season is expected to feature above average activity with a higher threat of landfall. Advance notice of when and where the storms will hit and with what strength helps us prepare, minimize damage and protect ourselves.
I urge our elected officials to speak up against these slashes and get our vital researchers and modelers reinstated. The services they provide save lives. We can rebuild but we cannot bring back the dead.
Ellen Cruse, Citizens Climate Lobby, Space Coast Chapter
Cocoa Beach
Defends the NOAA
Dear Editor:
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency whose data can save lives during hurricane season, is being targeted for massive cuts by the new administration. NOAA plays a critical role in weather forecasting, extreme weather warnings, and climate science, and the National Weather Service, a part of NOAA, is the only public forecasting agency protecting Americans against the threats of extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes.
I’m a Florida native who has ridden out many storms at home, and I used to be a lot less concerned about these threats, but last year Hurricane Milton spawned that severely damaged a friend’s house and destroyed their car just a few doors away from us. That traumatic local event and the devastating extreme weather seen nationally has made me face the fact that climate change is real, our community is at risk, and I want my government to be there for us.
We need Senator Scott, Senator Moody, and our local representatives to push back on cuts to NOAA and vigorously support legislation that addresses the root causes of climate change and supports climate resiliency. I’m grateful for city and county efforts to prepare for and respond to weather events, but we deserve leadership and funding on this at the national level.
Kimberly Demoret
Cocoa Beach
