Deadly Texas floods raise questions about emergency alerts
The first weather emergency alert sent by the National Weather Service with urgent language instructing people to "seek higher ground now" was sent at 4:03 a.m. local time.
Watch CBS News
The first weather emergency alert sent by the National Weather Service with urgent language instructing people to "seek higher ground now" was sent at 4:03 a.m. local time.
In response to concerns, NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) said it is actively working to address staffing shortages.
The satellite program has historically been a key source of weather forecasting data for NOAA.
According to CBS News, about 2,200 NOAA employees have been fired or have taken buyouts since January.
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season begins during a tumultuous period at the National Weather Service, following significant cuts at the country's forecasting agency.
Two people died Saturday night in an Oklahoma City suburb after floodwaters swept their truck into a creek, police said. One of the deceased was 12 years old.
A hurricane modeling specialist fired from the National Weather Service said progress on forecast accuracy may "go backwards" if job cuts continue.
Some 880 employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were laid off on Thursday, a congressional source told CBS News.
The National Weather Service said "travel could be difficult to impossible" in places where snowfall is forecast to continue into the beginning of the week.
Hurricane Milton made landfall and headed out of the state's east coast eight hours later.
The Great Galveston Hurricane is known as the deadliest weather disaster in United States history, killing at least 8,000 people, with some estimates as high as 12,000 people.
More than 60 million people were under heat alerts Tuesday as a scorching heat wave blanketed the Midwest.
Ernesto regained hurricane strength on Sunday, forecasters said, and will continue to bring "life-threatening surf and rip current conditions" to the U.S. East Coast.
The National Weather Service said record-breaking temperatures can be expected throughout the weekend.
More downpours are expected in South Florida Friday, forecasters said, and could bring "catastrophic" flooding to some areas.
A relentless string of powerful storms soaked much of South Florida this week.
A blizzard that brought this season's biggest snowfall to California's Sierra Nevada eased slightly on Sunday, but more unstable weather was expected.
The state is battling its "largest and most destructive fire in Texas history," and the blaze is only 15% contained, officials said.
Forecasters are warning of an "exceptionally dangerous" wave event along California's coast that "has not occurred in many years."
Forecasters say El Niño, a climate pattern known for warmer ocean temperatures and increased rain and snow, is likely here to stay until early 2024.
Track forecasts for Philippe and Rina were uncertain as forecasters noted the two tropical storms could potentially "interact."
Carbon monoxide poisoning from using a generator indoors can "kill you in minutes," the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warns.
Hilary dropped more than half an average year's worth of rain on some areas, including Palm Springs, which saw nearly 3.18 inches of rain by Sunday evening.
Officials urged residents of the island to stay indoors and away from windows as Mawar brought powerful wind, rain and storm surges to the area.
More than 50,000 customers in Mississippi and Alabama were without electricity Wednesday morning, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility outages.
