Anyone living in parts of the country subject to hazardous weather will have to rely on other means to stay abreast of developing weather conditions beginning Aug. 1.
Since 2008, the National Weather Service (NWS) has disseminated weather alerts through e-mail or text messages using a free self-subscription service called GovDelivery, which has contracts with several government agencies to provide information to the public. Due to budget constraints, the NWS terminated its contract with GovDelivery last November, but the service continued to provide the alerts through other means.
Now falling subject to budget constraints itself (you can substitute sequestration here if you want), GovDelivery will cease providing the NWS alerts effective July 31.
For Florida residents, this couldn’t come at a worse time as we move into the height of hurricane season from mid-August to mid-September. While weather apps for smart phones or tablets, will alert people to hazardous weather, these will not provide the same early information that the e-mail alerts from the NWS did.
It seems a shame when we’ve been urged to make use of technology to conserve resources that the people in charge let things like this happen. My opinion only, of course.
Have a great weekend everyone and try to enjoy life at turtle speed.
In Florida, they have been cutting so many services that its hard to imagine what else can be cut, but they keep finding ways. Dade County has cut Fire Rescue and Police. Seems they could be cutting elsewhere but no one wants to upset the special interests.
ReplyDeleteI'm a Florida resident and a 2-yr retiree from Sarasota County Government, so I very much know what you mean.
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