NOAA's staff oversees monitoring the world's atmosphere and the nation's weather and climate, including its most violent storms.

Layoffs at NOAA will only make weather reports less reliable. At 4 p.m. ET yesterday, Andrew Hazelton got a form email telling him his work as a hurricane modeler at the federal government would be officially over at 5 p.

The firings are “going to affect safety of flight, safety of shipping, safety of everyday Americans,” Admiral Tim Gallaudet told The Associated Press Friday. President Donald Trump appointed Gallaudet as acting NOAA chief during his last administration. “Lives are at risk for sure.”

Jay Grymes notes there are likely inefficiencies within NOAA that could be addressed, but cautions that weakening core weather and climate roles could pose serious risks to Louisiana.