In the wake of catastrophic flooding that left more than 100 Texans dead and many still missing, Rep. Greg Casar (D) has secured an independent investigation into staffing levels at key federal weather agencies.
The investigation will be conducted by the Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General and will focus on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS).
It follows an oversight letter led by Rep. Casar and co-signed by Reps. Jasmine Crockett (D) and Robert Garcia (D).
The letter expressed grave concern over “severe shortages” in staffing, including vacancies in local Texas NWS offices at the time of the devastating flash floods, which took place over the July 4th weekend.
“While the direct impact of nationwide staffing shortages on the July 5 disaster is unclear,” the lawmakers wrote, “the tragic loss of life suffered underscores the urgent need to fully understand what contributed to this disaster and how lives can be best protected moving forward.”
Rep. Casar specifically pointed to staffing reductions at the NWS that began under the Trump administration.
The Inspector General’s investigation will assess nationwide staffing at NOAA and NWS, with a particular focus on the agencies’ Texas operations. The goal, according to the Texas Democrat, is to “save lives in future extreme weather events.”
The investigation is expected to provide clarity and accountability as Texas continues to recover from one of the deadliest natural disasters in its recent history.
Reps. Casar and Crockett are both members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Rep. Garcia is the committee’s ranking member.
Not only has the flooding devastated the Lone Star state, but it has also generated controversy after Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem (R) faced criticism over FEMA's response.
