Cuts did not affect Kentucky NWS warnings during deadly storms, officials say
Video note: Despite this article's time stamp, the above video is the latest forecast from The Weather Authority.
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Officials are hoping to set the record straight that, despite recent cuts, the National Weather Service was not hindered from forecasting this weekend's deadly storms.
Political takes have picked up traction on social media, suggesting NWS gave a late warning or even no warning at all for this weekend's deadly storms.
London couple recounts huddling in basement as tornado destroyed home
NWS confirms a nearly mile-wide EF-4 tornado hit southeastern Kentucky
Larry Demeritte, trainer who realized his dream of running a horse in the Kentucky Derby, dies at 75
'We issued warnings at 10:30. That was the first warning,' NWS Jackson Science and Operations Officer Dustin Jordan told FOX 56 News.
Jordan was able to confirm that the NWS issued a warning for the Somerset area with about 28 minutes of lead time, and for London, it was 40 minutes.'It's actually really, really good. In terms of warning operations and being able to issue that well ahead of the time of that tornado striking portions of our area,' Jordan said.
The New York Times reported last week that the Jackson office was one of four in the country that no longer had a permanent overnight forecaster due to DOGE cuts. Jordan was unable to comment on staffing, but an NOAA spokesperson said, 'In the near term, NWS has updated the service level standards for its weather forecast offices to manage impacts due to shifting personnel resources. These revised standards reflect the transformation and prioritization of mission-essential operations while supporting the balance of the operational workload for its workforce.'
Drug overdoses see major decline: How Kentucky measures up
UFO sightings in Kentucky: A look back on past 30 years
List: 5 Big Lots stores in Kentucky reopening this week
Gov. Andy Beshear has echoed in multiple storm briefings that the advance notice of impending bad weather gave enough time to bring in extra staffing during the event.
'Well, we got a heads-up that we would have a bad weather system. Just like we have a heads-up that one is coming in now. I don't think staffing concerns caused an issue in our preparation for this one,' he said at a briefing in London on Tuesday.
Beshear said while he is concerned about 24/7 coverage in the future, in this instance, it was not a problem.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Official overseeing the National Hurricane Center testified to Congress it's fully staffed—it's not
Hurricanes Storms Federal agenciesFacebookTweetLink Follow The National Hurricane Center is 'fully staffed' and any suggestion that the Trump administration fired meteorologists at the National Weather Service is 'fake news,' 'preposterous and silly,' Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick testified to Congress this week. But the administration did fire meteorologists, and the nation's top hurricane forecasting office is not fully staffed as the season is underway. The NHC, like many other parts of the NWS, has a staffing shortfall currently, with five vacancies at the center in Miami, including at least four meteorologists. None of the NHC positions can be filled due to the federal hiring freeze, though the NWS was able to get an exemption for 126 mission-critical vacancies at other forecast offices around the country. The critical staffing issues — which have meant some forecast offices are no longer monitoring the weather 24/7 or launching twice-daily weather balloons — have raised concerns that forecast accuracy will suffer during this hurricane season. 'We are fully, fully staffed. There are no openings on the National Hurricane Center, zero. It is fully staffed,' Lutnick said before a Senate appropriations subcommittee during hearings on the Commerce Department budget on Wednesday. Lutnick claimed again on Thursday the NHC is 'fully staffed,' and falsely stated local weather service forecast offices are fully staffed in an appearance before the House Appropriations Committee. 'It is fake news and inappropriate to suggest a single meteorologist or hydrologist was fired,' Lutnick said. 'That is preposterous and silly.' The Trump administration cut about 100 jobs at the NWS, including meteorologists and hydrologists, according to a fact sheet from Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell's office. The NWS lost even more meteorologists, including many with decades of experience, from early retirement and other incentives the Trump administration offered in order to reduce the size of the federal workforce. In total, the agency has lost about 560 employees during the course of the administration, bringing total staffing levels below 4,000, according to the NWS Employees Organization. This is about 18% below 'necessary staffing levels' and 33% below 'normal' staffing levels. Many local NWS offices are so short on meteorologists in the wake of Trump administration firings, buyouts and early retirement incentives that the agency has authorized internal transfers to fill critical gaps, in addition to the 126 new hires. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reiterated Lutnick's claims in a Thursday statement: 'The National Hurricane Center is fully staffed to meet the rigorous demands of the hurricane season,' spokesperson Kim Doster said. 'Future positions that may be advertised at the NHC will provide additional support and a deeper bench for our ongoing around-the-clock operations.' A Commerce Department spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. The hurricane center's staff website shows all but one of its vacancies, which include at least one hurricane specialist, one hurricane forecaster and two meteorologist/programmers. One staff member who took an early retirement offer is still listed on the roster, according to an NWS employee familiar with the matter.
CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
Official overseeing the National Hurricane Center testified to Congress it's fully staffed—it's not
Hurricanes Storms Federal agenciesFacebookTweetLink Follow The National Hurricane Center is 'fully staffed' and any suggestion that the Trump administration fired meteorologists at the National Weather Service is 'fake news,' 'preposterous and silly,' Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick testified to Congress this week. But the administration did fire meteorologists, and the nation's top hurricane forecasting office is not fully staffed as the season is underway. The NHC, like many other parts of the NWS, has a staffing shortfall currently, with five vacancies at the center in Miami, including at least four meteorologists. None of the NHC positions can be filled due to the federal hiring freeze, though the NWS was able to get an exemption for 126 mission-critical vacancies at other forecast offices around the country. The critical staffing issues — which have meant some forecast offices are no longer monitoring the weather 24/7 or launching twice-daily weather balloons — have raised concerns that forecast accuracy will suffer during this hurricane season. 'We are fully, fully staffed. There are no openings on the National Hurricane Center, zero. It is fully staffed,' Lutnick said before a Senate appropriations subcommittee during hearings on the Commerce Department budget on Wednesday. Lutnick claimed again on Thursday the NHC is 'fully staffed,' and falsely stated local weather service forecast offices are fully staffed in an appearance before the House Appropriations Committee. 'It is fake news and inappropriate to suggest a single meteorologist or hydrologist was fired,' Lutnick said. 'That is preposterous and silly.' The Trump administration cut about 100 jobs at the NWS, including meteorologists and hydrologists, according to a fact sheet from Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell's office. The NWS lost even more meteorologists, including many with decades of experience, from early retirement and other incentives the Trump administration offered in order to reduce the size of the federal workforce. In total, the agency has lost about 560 employees during the course of the administration, bringing total staffing levels below 4,000, according to the NWS Employees Organization. This is about 18% below 'necessary staffing levels' and 33% below 'normal' staffing levels. Many local NWS offices are so short on meteorologists in the wake of Trump administration firings, buyouts and early retirement incentives that the agency has authorized internal transfers to fill critical gaps, in addition to the 126 new hires. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reiterated Lutnick's claims in a Thursday statement: 'The National Hurricane Center is fully staffed to meet the rigorous demands of the hurricane season,' spokesperson Kim Doster said. 'Future positions that may be advertised at the NHC will provide additional support and a deeper bench for our ongoing around-the-clock operations.' A Commerce Department spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. The hurricane center's staff website shows all but one of its vacancies, which include at least one hurricane specialist, one hurricane forecaster and two meteorologist/programmers. One staff member who took an early retirement offer is still listed on the roster, according to an NWS employee familiar with the matter.
Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Thousands in Oklahoma Ordered to Take Cover Now, Severe Tornado Warning
A severe tornado warning was issued early Friday morning by the National Weather Service (NWS) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, urging residents in Osage and Pawnee counties to take cover immediately. At 3:09 a.m. CDT, radar detected a severe thunderstorm with rotation, located approximately nine miles east of Marland, and moving east at 35 miles per hour. The storm was reported capable of producing a tornado and half-dollar-sized hail, prompting officials to warn that flying debris could pose significant danger to anyone caught outside without shelter. Interactive maps from showed the paths of the storms. Early Morning Tornado Threat in Northern Oklahoma The NWS in Tulsa issued a tornado warning effective from 3:10 a.m. CDT to 3:45 a.m. CDT on June 6, 2025, for Osage and Pawnee counties. Officials reported radar-indicated rotation within a severe thunderstorm east of Marland, with hazards including the potential for tornado formation and hail up to half-dollar size. The NWS advised that "flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter," and noted wind damage to mobile homes, vehicles, roofs, and windows was likely. Communities at Risk and Safety Instructions Ralston and Fairfax were identified as being within or near the storm's projected path during the warning period. Residents in affected areas received instructions to immediately move to basements or interior rooms on the lowest floor of sturdy buildings, and to avoid windows. Those in vehicles, mobile homes, or outdoors were urged to seek substantial shelter and protect themselves from flying debris. The NWS emphasized that timely compliance with these safety instructions can be lifesaving during rapidly developing tornado threats. Wider Severe Weather Outlook for the Central U.S. The tornado warning was part of a broader severe weather pattern across the central and southern High Plains. Forecasters anticipated scattered severe thunderstorms throughout the day, with associated risks including very large hail, damaging winds, and additional tornadoes. Tornado History in the Region Oklahoma regularly experiences severe weather, as evidenced by a tornado in Norman on June 3, 2025. During that storm, the NWS confirmed a tornado, though officials reported "hardly any damage" in the Oklahoma City metro area. Nonetheless, the region saw significant rainfall, hail, heavy winds, and flooding. Preparedness and Monitoring The NWS urged continued vigilance as the storm track shifted eastward. Emergency officials stressed the importance of monitoring weather updates and local alerts. Real-time impacts and damage reports were made available through NWS networks nationwide, helping residents stay informed and safe during ongoing severe weather activity. The latest severe weather outbreak highlights the persistent tornado risk across the central United States, particularly in Oklahoma, which sits within what is often referred to as "Tornado Alley." Extreme weather events like these endanger lives, disrupt communities, and test emergency preparedness systems. Understanding and responding to warnings from the NWS remains critical for public safety, especially as spring and early summer bring a heightened risk of violent storms to the region. The NWS continued to monitor conditions in Osage, Pawnee, and surrounding counties for further tornado development, issuing updates as the situation evolved. Residents were advised to heed official warnings throughout the severe weather cycle and stay alert for any additional storm advisories or emergency instructions. Related Articles Kansas, Oklahoma Face Severe Flooding, Drivers Warned of Drowning RiskFlurry of Executions Scheduled Over Four DaysHow to Watch Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech: Live Stream College Softball World Series, TV ChannelHow to Watch Texas vs Oklahoma: Live Stream Women's College World Series, TV Channel 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
