1. United States
2. Miss.
3. Letter

I am a resident of Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi. I lived through Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Zeta in 2020. These storms left deep and lasting damage to my home and my community. I am writing to express strong opposition to the decision by NOAA to stop using microwave data from Defense Department satellites that have long contributed to the accuracy of hurricane forecasts. These satellites provide critical information about storm structure and intensity. This data helps forecasters detect rapid intensification, especially overnight when other forms of observation are limited. Forecasters and meteorologists have warned that the loss of these data streams will degrade storm track and intensity forecasts, reduce lead time for warnings, and increase the chances of people being caught off guard. My community was devastated by Katrina’s storm surge. Dozens died in Hancock County. Delays in forecasting and communication cost lives. Accurate, timely forecasts are not optional for people on the Gulf Coast. They are the basis for evacuation decisions, emergency management operations, and survival. This decision is compounded by reports of NOAA staff shortages and budget cuts that will leave forecast offices understaffed during peak hurricane season. That is an unacceptable risk. I am calling on you to demand that NOAA reverse its decision to cut off access to this satellite data. I am asking you to fight any budget that reduces NOAA’s capacity to deliver timely, accurate hurricane forecasts. I am also asking that Congress require a formal risk assessment on the forecast degradation expected from the loss of this data, and that the findings be made public. This is a life safety issue. Please act immediately.