Texas Democrat seeks answers on ‘missing key’ weather personnel as flood deaths rise

The Trump administration has cut hundreds of jobs at the weather service, though Castro, whose district includes San Antonio, where much of the flooding occurred, said he could not “conclusively” say if a lack of key staff was to blame for residents’ lack of preparedness in the flood zone. The congressman did, however, say vacancies were not ideal.

“I don’t think it’s helpful to have missing key personnel from the National Weather Service not in place to help prevent these tragedies. When I say we ought to do everything possible to help prevent a tragedy. … That’s part of what I mean,” Castro said.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration office in Houston remains without its top three management positions due to federal layoffs, with

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