The Trump administration has cut hundreds of jobs at the weather service, though Castro, whose district includes San Antonio, where much of the flooding occurred, said he could not “conclusively” say if a lack of key staff was to blame for residents’ lack of preparedness in the flood zone. The congressman did, however, say vacancies were not ideal.
“I don’t think it’s helpful to have missing key personnel from the National Weather Service not in place to help prevent these tragedies. When I say we ought to do everything possible to help prevent a tragedy. … That’s part of what I mean,” Castro said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration office in Houston remains without its top three management positions due to federal layoffs, with the Austin-San Antonio office also missing a “warning coordination meteorologist.” Some lower-level personnel at the weather service have been rehired in recent weeks.
“That’s why there is an incredible value to the National Weather Service is because, on most days, obviously, you’re not going to have a tragedy like this,” Castro said. “But when you have flash flooding, you know there is a risk that you won’t have the personnel to do that analysis, do the predictions in the best way, and it could lead to tragedy.”
Castro said he did not want to say “conclusively” that missing personnel was what led to the devastation, but said it “should be investigated” and that “not having enough personnel is never helpful.”
HURRICANE SEASON STARTS JUNE 1. HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CUTS TO WEATHER AGENCIES
At least 59 people, including 21 children, have died in Kerr County, Texas, as a result of the flood, and 11 girls and a counselor at a summer camp remain missing.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, said he believed some weather warnings went out “by locals.”
