Federal Workers in Limbo: A Meteorologist’s Story Amidst Government Cuts

The second term of Donald Trump has ushered in a period of significant upheaval for the federal workforce, marked by sweeping budget cuts and widespread uncertainty. An executive order, signed less than a month into the term, granted the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) broad authority to streamline the federal workforce, ostensibly in the name of cost-cutting.

DOGE, spearheaded by the controversial billionaire Elon Musk, has proceeded with an aggressive agenda, targeting various agencies and programs. The department’s actions have included proposals to reduce funding for veterans’ cancer treatments, alleged interference with FDA employees overseeing Musk’s Neuralink company, temporary layoffs at the National Nuclear Security Administration, and a reduction of approximately 1,000 National Park Service staff. More recently, DOGE has initiated layoffs at NASA, the nation’s space agency, following a period of initial hesitation.

The impact of these cuts has been particularly felt at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where hundreds of federal workers were terminated in late February, representing about 10% of the agency’s workforce. Among those affected was Andrew Hazelton, a dedicated meteorologist who had spent years studying hurricanes and working to improve NOAA’s ability to understand and mitigate their devastating impacts. Hazelton, a Florida native, was a valuable member of the Hurricane Research Division Modeling Team until his recent layoff.

Currently, Hazelton is on administrative leave, a temporary status that prevents him from performing his duties. This reinstatement, a result of a recent court decision, has left Hazelton and many other NOAA employees in a state of uncertainty as their cases navigate the federal court system.

Gizmodo recently interviewed Hazelton to gain insights into the challenges faced by federal employees amid the DOGE cuts.

Isaac Schultz, Gizmodo: Can you walk me through the timeline, from your work at NOAA to the layoffs and the current situation?

Andrew Hazelton: I’ve been with NOAA in various capacities for over eight years. After obtaining my PhD in 2016, I worked with a postdoc at Princeton University for the NOAA lab there for two years. In 2018, I joined the Hurricane Research Division, working for the University of Miami. Last October, I transitioned into a federal position, working for NOAA’s Environmental Modeling Center on hurricane models and model development.

As of yesterday, we are technically reinstated on administrative leave due to the recent court decision. However, many questions remain unanswered. Based on the wording of the notification, it seems that the agency is awaiting further court rulings regarding back pay. Currently, we are not permitted to work.

Although I have been involved with NOAA for eight years, I was a new federal employee. On February 27th, we received a mass email informing us of our termination, with only about an hour’s notice. It was quite chaotic. We are now in a state of limbo. Some individuals have filed appeals with the merit board. While there is a preliminary injunction reinstating us, its continuation depends on the outcome of appeals. There is also uncertainty about potential legal layoff processes in the future.

Gizmodo: It appears that employees across various agencies are facing layoffs and unclear statuses, leaving them uncertain about the federal government’s next steps.

Hazelton: That’s correct. The situation depends on court outcomes, and different departments are responding to the rulings in different ways. There are many unknowns.

Gizmodo: Can you discuss the impact of these cuts on hurricane research and public safety, considering your expertise in this area?

Hazelton: In my group, I was the primary person focused on hurricanes. Others worked on different types of modeling, such as severe weather and ocean models. Some members of the hurricane hunters, who fly into storms, were also affected. While a couple dozen may have been reinstated due to the judge’s decision, the criteria used for these decisions were unclear, and some were not fully reinstated.

The lack of communication about criteria and plans is concerning. If people are not fully reinstated, it will be difficult to maintain critical research and data collection efforts. The satellite division has also been affected, which is concerning since satellites are crucial for monitoring various weather phenomena, including hurricanes. The effects could be felt across the board, impacting anyone who relies on weather data.

Gizmodo: Can you share your experiences flying through hurricanes?

Hazelton: I flew in Helene last year, as well as Michael in 2018, Dorian in 2019, Ian, and Idalia. Flying through a hurricane is generally like a bumpy commercial flight on a P-3 aircraft, a sturdy propeller plane. However, the eyewall, the ring near the center of the hurricane, can be very turbulent. Michael was likely the bumpiest storm I experienced, and Helene last year also had an intense eyewall.

Gizmodo: What are your thoughts on the idea of privatizing weather forecasting?

Hazelton: There is already a robust private weather enterprise that works well with NOAA. These companies rely on NOAA data for their apps and tools, creating a beneficial public-private partnership. I don’t believe we should move toward a subscription-based model for warnings or life-saving information. Open access to data, funded by tax dollars, has been a hallmark of NOAA.

Funding NOAA at its current level costs only 6 cents per American per day. This minuscule cost is offset by the dollars saved through better forecasts, which allow people to prepare for hurricanes, evacuate if necessary, or avoid unnecessary closures. Better forecasts save lives and money, and NOAA pays for itself in many ways.

Gizmodo: You mentioned that some individuals were reinstated early on. How are these decisions being made?

Hazelton: There hasn’t been much communication about the criteria used. While veterans’ preference was supposed to be considered, the process has not been transparent.

Gizmodo: How long do you anticipate this ambiguity lasting?

Hazelton: It will likely depend on ongoing court cases. I am eager to return to work and contribute to protecting the American public.

Gizmodo: Given the abrupt layoffs, are there unfinished projects awaiting your return?

Hazelton: Yes, it’s challenging. My colleagues are working hard, but the agency is already understaffed and stretched thin. It’s difficult to accomplish everything that needs to be done.

Gizmodo: Is there anything else you would like to convey about your personal experience or the experiences of federal workers in general?

Hazelton: Most of us are eager to resume our work and help the American public. NOAA’s mission is to protect lives and property. We have a proven track record of doing so, and we are eager to get back to it.

Hazelton’s experience reflects the broader uncertainty and challenges faced by federal employees amidst the current government cuts. The long-term consequences of these cuts on critical services, such as weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, remain to be seen, but there is broad concern among scientists and affected employees that the safety and well-being of the American public could ultimately be at stake.