National Weather Service Staffing Cuts Stir Concerns in Nebraska
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Nebraska has experienced a significant reduction in its workforce, raising alarms about potential impacts on public safety. A recent report from the Office of Personnel Management indicates a decrease from 62 to 52 employees between fiscal years 2024 and 2025, marking a 16% reduction in staff.
These cuts are part of a larger nationwide downsizing initiative, known as the “Department of Government Efficiency,” which resulted in the loss of nearly 600 employees across the country last year. The implications for Nebraska have been particularly concerning, given the state’s reliance on the NWS for critical weather forecasts and warnings.
Eric Hunt, a climatologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, expressed concerns about the staffing reductions, stating, “I think the general public understands that the National Weather Service, other than probably generally being the best for weather forecast information – they do what they do for public safety and the public good, and them not being able to issue tornado warnings or other severe thunderstorm warnings or flash flood warnings, effectively, could cost lives. Certainly it will cost more property damage.”
These concerns have prompted a political response aimed at reversing the staffing cuts. Hunt praised Mike Flood for his efforts, saying, “I do want to give Mike Flood credit for really pushing this issue. As a meteorologist, I do sincerely appreciate his efforts and in the staffing issues. That didn’t just start last year. Something had been going on for a while, but the DOGE stuff was, in my opinion, very unnecessary.”
The slowdown of weather balloon launches and critical staffing needs led Nebraska’s representatives to urge the White House to reconsider the cuts. In April 2025, Second District Rep. Don Bacon sent a letter to the Department of Commerce secretary, voicing “concern about the plan to lay off personnel at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).” Sen. Deb Fischer and 3rd District Rep. Adrian Smith also committed to monitoring the situation closely.
Mike Flood engaged with the Trump administration, leading to a resumption of weather balloon launches. “The administration listened, and I’m pleased to say that weather balloons are back up in the air and staffing challenges are being immediately addressed,” Flood stated in a press release.
In June 2025, Flood introduced the Weather Workforce Improvement Act, a bill aimed at allowing rehiring for essential positions, though it stalled in the House despite bipartisan support. A similar bill also remained in committee.
Unlike most federal agencies, which have not regained staff after cuts without a court order, the NWS in Nebraska is seeing efforts to reverse the trend. This proactive approach by Nebraska’s congressional delegation has been acknowledged by Fortin, who remarked, “They’ve really done a good job in looking out toward the future of the National Weather Service and ensuring we’re going to be integrating new technology as we continue through the next several years.”
