From Newsweek:
Deadly Tornadoes Put Trump Weather Service Cuts Under Scrutiny
PUBLISHED
MAR 09, 2026 AT 03:52 AM EDT
UPDATED
MAR 10, 2026 AT 08:12 AM EDT
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has called for an investigation into whether the lack of a tornado alert before several deadly storms hit Michigan is connected to President Donald Trump's funding cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS).
At least four people were killed, and around 12 others were injured, after multiple tornadoes struck southwest Michigan on Friday, the Branch County Sheriff's Office said. The storms destroyed homes and businesses, tore down trees, and tossed residents' vehicles in deadliest tornado day in the state in almost five decades.
Whitmer's office said the NWS did not issue a tornado alert before the storms struck, and called for a federal investigation into "whether the failure to issue a watch was related to federal cuts."
The NWS told Newsweek in a statement that "all National Weather Service offices were fully staffed during this severe weather event" and said forecasters were "continuously (monitoring) the evolving weather situation" even though a specific tornado watch was "not initially issued."
Newsweek contacted the White House by email.
Why It Matters
Friday was Michigan's deadliest tornado event in 46 years, according to data by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) analyzed by MLive.
The fatalities have intensified scrutiny of staffing and funding cuts at the NWS under Trump, with critics questioning whether reduced capacity could affect the agency’s ability to issue timely alerts as extreme weather events become more frequent.
What To Know
Whitmer's spokeswoman Stacey LaRouche said in a statement, according to the local outlet The Detroit News: "The fact that the (National Weather) Service did not issue a tornado watch is troubling, especially with the loss of life in Michigan.”
"While tornadoes can be hard to predict, the federal government should investigate whether the failure to issue a watch was related to federal cuts."
LaRouche was referring to cuts made by Trump last year, which saw at least 560 NWS workers laid off or given early retirement incentives, according to CNN. A spokesperson told Newsweek at the time that the agency had to recruit people to "stabilize" the department.
Trump has previously denied that his cuts have had an impact on deadly events. When asked in July last year whether he thought the government needed to re-hire any of the fired meteorologists, Trump said he "would think not," adding that there were "very talented people there."
Bill Bunting, the deputy director of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center, told The Detroit News that forecasts earlier in the day on Friday showed the possibility of severe storms and tornadoes in southwest Michigan.
He said a tornado watch was not issued because the conditions that produced the storms later that day were difficult to detect in advance. "This was very, very constrained in space and time — a very small area," he said.
What People Are Saying
LaRouche said in a statement: "The National Weather Service exists to monitor conditions and inform Americans of severe weather in their communities."
NWS spokesperson Marissa Anderson told Newsweek: "All National Weather Service offices were fully staffed during this severe weather event. Although a Watch was not initially issued, local forecasters continuously monitored the evolving weather situation and did issue specific Tornado Warnings to alert communities of the immediate threat."
Whitmer said in a post on X on Sunday: "Let's all join in wrapping our arms around the Three Rivers, Union City, Edwardsburg, and entire southwest Michigan community as they begin the difficult process of healing and rebuilding. The entire state is here for you. We can and will get through this together."
Democratic Representative Grace Meng said at the time of the cuts last year: "Today, hundreds of employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including weather forecasters at the National Weather Service (NWS), were given termination notices for no good reason. This is unconscionable."
"These are dedicated, hardworking Americans whose efforts help save lives and property from the devastating impacts of natural disasters across the country. This action will only endanger American lives going forward."
What Happens Next
Congressional scrutiny of NWS staffing will likely intensify as lawmakers weigh the effects of prior cuts on forecast operations heading into the spring severe weather season.
Update 3/10/26, 7:04 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the NWS.
No comments:
Post a Comment