President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk struck the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday and Friday resulting in hundreds of layoffs at the National Weather Service, including some at the University of Oklahoma campus.
In Oklahoma, considered to be right in the middle of “tornado alley,” the National Weather Service is considered critical when it comes to severe weather, forecasts and especially tornado warnings. The layoffs will be even more important since Oklahoma and other Midwestern states where tornadoes are dominant in the spring rely heavily on the Weather Service to broadcast warnings over Radio and TV services.
The OU Daily reported OU meteoorology students who were to join the National Weather Service were terminated as the Trump administration moves forward with layoffs. Exactly how many layoffs occurred at the National Weather Service and its National Severe Storms Laboratory hasn’t been revealed. But the layoffs raised questions whether it will be adequately staffed during the approaching storm season in the state.
The Associated Press reported the National Weather Service had about 375 probationary employees and they were the targets of a reported first round of layoffs. The AP quoted craig McLean, a former NOAA chief scientist who said he had been informed the second round might involve 800 personnel. Together with the first round, about 10% of NOAA’s workforce would be affected.
