Schumer requests probe into impact of staffing cuts on Texas flood response

With the death toll from flooding in central Texas nearing triple digits, the top Senate Democrat is requesting a formal investigation into the impact of staffing cuts on the National Weather Service’s preparation for and response to the disaster. 

Nearly 90 confirmed deaths in Kerr County, Texas, and surrounding areas have resulted from the flash floods that began July 4. NWS, which has shed hundreds of employees since President Trump took office through firings and separation incentives, sent a wide range of warnings and alerts prior to the storms that caused the floods. Still, some lawmakers and officials are suggesting the staffing cuts could have impacted forecasting and preparations. 

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called on the Commerce Department’s inspector general to launch an investigation into the impacts the staffing cuts had on the crisis in Texas. 

“Following the disastrous and deeply devastating flash flooding in Texas this weekend, I write to urge you immediately to open an investigation into the scope, breadth, and ramifications of whether staffing shortages at key local NWS stations contributed to the catastrophic loss of life and property during the deadly flooding,” Schumer said in his letter. 

He asked the IG to examine whether staffing vacancies created delays, diminished forecast accuracy or impeded coordination with local emergency officials. He also requested details on existing vacancies, both locally in Texas and nationwide, and what to expect if those roles remain unfilled. 

The IG’s office did not respond to a request for comment. 

On the morning of July 3, the NWS office in Austin/San Antonio, Texas, conducted forecast briefings for local emergency management teams and issued flash flood warnings that evening and the following morning. Erica Cei, an NWS spokesperson, did not respond to questions about the impacts of staffing cuts, but said the agency “remains committed to our mission to serve the American public through our forecasts and decision support services.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NWS’ parent agency, has fired hundreds of employees in their probationary status and pushed out hundreds more through various separation incentives. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick recently told Congress key positions at the agency are “fully staffed” and some hiring was set to resume, despite the government-wide hiring freeze that has been in place since President Trump took office.

The Commerce Department brought back the newly hired or promoted employees in their probationary periods when ordered to do so by a federal court, but re-fired them after the Supreme Court lifted that injunction. 

Last month, former Federal Emergency Management Director Deanne Criswell warned that cuts to NWS and other NOAA staff would directly impact emergency response. In flood prone areas, she said, federal meteorologists and other weather-related staff can help predict where water will rise and whether the local infrastructure will be able to sustain it.

“If they have less staff, they're going to have less ability to embed directly with different jurisdictions to help them understand those impacts,” Criswell said. “And so they are such a critical partner of FEMA, but also of the states and the locals to give them that operational data to make the right decisions to protect their communities.”

The Homeland Security Department on Sunday laid out all the steps NWS took to warn communities of the potential impacts of the storms and said the agency “executed timely, precise forecasting and warnings, despite unprecedented rainfall overwhelming the region.” Asked about the impact of staffing cuts, Trump on Sunday blamed former President Biden as well as the catastrophic nature of the storm. 

The U.S. Coast Guard saved hundreds of individuals caught in the storms’ path, including girls at a camp devastated by flooding. The camp confirmed 27 campers and counselors died due to the storms.