Even future of weather service is at stake

The National Weather Service team has confirmed there were 17 tornadoes in the Chicago/Northern Illinois area on Sunday and Monday, July 14 and 15, and that number could increase as the agency’s survey teams continue their work.

There were nearly 500 total severe weather reports during this time period.

Of course, this outbreak of severe weather was not a surprise, because the National Weather had been predicting the likelihood of storms for several days, just as they can predict the likelihood of blizzards and severe snowstorms in the winter. Thank goodness for meteorologists and the science and equipment they employ to help us anticipate weather variables throughout the year.

I would hope that everyone, no matter their political persuasion, would recognize the crucial role that the National Weather Service plays for our nation. But that doesn’t appear to be the case given the fact that the Republican/Trump Project 2025 Presidential Transition blueprint for the future calls for the elimination of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the agency which runs the National Weather Service.

Why? Because NOAA also studies climate change and its effects, and the Heritage Foundation, the originators of Project 2025, do not believe in “human-caused” climate effect.

Well, whether you believe climate change is caused by humans or not, it’s happening. Just look at the incredible heat waves hitting not only the Southwestern states but the Pacific Northwest as well for the past several years. We need to be prepared and aware.

NOAA and the National Weather Service are here to help us do that. And the people who want to eliminate NOAA are simply whack jobs. Are these really the people you want running the country? Google Project 2025 and read it to get a clear idea of what is at stake in November.

Joanne Zienty

Wheaton