7 Dead As ‘Catastrophic’ Storm System Slowly Moves Through South, Midwest

Topline

At least seven people are dead as a severe storm system moves through the South and Midwest, bringing what the National Weather Service has called a “life-threatening, catastrophic, and potentially historic flash flood event” that will remain active into the weekend.

Key Facts

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What To Watch For

The National Weather Service’s flood watch in effect for portions of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia will remain active until Saturday.

Big Number

Nearly 140,000. That is how many people are without power Thursday afternoon across Texas, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.

Tangent

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which manages the National Weather Service, has lost 1,000 employees to firings or resignations linked to President Donald Trump’s effort to slash the federal workforce, according to multiple outlets, and could lose another 1,000 soon. The loss of 2,000 employees would account for roughly 20% of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s total staff, where shortages have already led to the suspension of weather balloon launches. Weather balloons provide data needed for accurate forecasts and observations.

Crucial Quote

“The National Weather Service is a critical organization that we desperately need, and need to be strong, and should not be cutting employees from, because of events just like this,” Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear said, according to The New York Times. “They are a lifeline.”

Key Background

The storm system’s slow speed has partially been created by a swath of rising heat in Southeast states, according to AccuWeather. The nearly stationary nature of the system is what has created some of the life-threatening weather conditions noted by the National Weather Service, as regions already slammed with rain, winds and tornadoes on Wednesday and Thursday are forecasted to see even more severe weather into the weekend. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said in an April climate outlook published Tuesday there could be “well-above-average temperatures across the southern tier of the nation” this month alongside a wet April for parts of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys.

Further Reading

NOAA Said to Be Planning to Shrink Staff by 20 Percent (New York Times)