As North Carolina continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene and battles ongoing wildfires across the state, the Trump administration—along with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—has set its sights on slashing federal spending, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as its latest target, according to WECT.
Reports indicate that the National Weather Service (NWS), which provides critical forecasts and disaster warnings nationwide, is already feeling the impact of the cuts. An estimated 10% of NOAA’s workforce could be affected, with several hundred layoffs expected.
In Raleigh, 30 staff members at the EPA’s RTP campus were recently fired amidst federal budget cuts. It remains unclear whether the National Weather Service office in Wilmington has been impacted. A spokesperson declined to comment, referring inquiries to the agency’s national office.
While NOAA officials would not discuss personnel matters, a spokesperson emphasized the agency’s commitment to public safety:
“NOAA remains dedicated to its mission, providing timely information, research, and resources that serve the American public and ensure our nation’s environmental and economic resilience. We continue to provide weather information, forecasts, and warnings pursuant to our public safety mission.”
However, experts are warning that these cuts could severely undermine NOAA’s ability to protect communities—especially as the state faces compounding climate disasters.
Charles Konrad, a professor at UNC-Chapel Hill and director of the NOAA-funded Southeast Regional Climate Center, expressed deep concern over the agency’s future. He noted that both new and experienced employees have lost their jobs, raising alarms about NOAA’s capacity to respond to extreme weather events.
“It’s just otherworldly,” he said. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Konrad warned that reduced funding could jeopardize storm preparedness, particularly for coastal communities that depend on NWS forecasts ahead of hurricanes, like Wilmington. The cuts could also hinder environmental research, wildlife conservation, and NOAA’s ability to maintain the radars and satellites essential for tracking natural disasters.
“It’s really kind of a scary future and we really need to have effective forecasts,” he added.
The timing of these budget cuts is particularly concerning, as North Carolina is already dealing with widespread wildfires and still reeling from the impact of Hurricane Helene. Trump also recently gutted wildland firefighters and service personnel across the country. Without sufficient resources, emergency responders and meteorologists may struggle to provide timely warnings, putting more lives at risk.
Miyoko Sakashita, oceans program director for the Center for Biological Diversity, criticized the decision.
“It’s just a dimwitted move and it’s gonna backfire. It risks people’s lives,” she said.
Many NOAA offices, including the National Hurricane Center, are already understaffed. Now, with uncertainty looming over further cuts, experts fear that the agency’s ability to prepare for and respond to future disasters will be severely compromised.
“Everybody’s worried right now because we just don’t know what the future looks like there,” Konrad said.
As North Carolina faces the dual threats of hurricanes and wildfires, the question remains: Without NOAA’s full strength, who will step in to keep communities safe?
