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NOAA Just Fired Hundreds Of Staff ... Your Surf Forecast Is Going To Get A Lot Worse

Originally posted on SURFER | By Jake Howard | Last updated Feb 27, 2025 6:36 PM ET

For every action there is a reaction, and as news breaks that the Trump Administration has fired hundreds of employees at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is sure to be a profound ripple effect around the country, including when and where you surf.

Part of billionaire Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency's sweeping cuts on climate and environmental agencies, NOAA employees were informed via email on Thursday, February 27, that their jobs were being cut and they had until the end of the day to gather their things and get out of dodge. The cuts primarily focused on probationary employees that had been with NOAA for less than two years.

"All probationary federal employees at NOAA’s EMC that’s responsible for keeping all US weather model systems running have been fired with 1 hours notice. And that includes me and colleagues. We will not go quietly because we care about the NOAA mission to protect the public," shared one employee on the social media platform Bluesky.

An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA's responsibilities are vast and far-reaching. From tracking hurricanes, to weather forecasting, climate study and marine resource management, as well as, yes, surf reports and forecasts, NOAA plays a large and critical role in the safety and security of the country. As the world's climate changes and storm systems intensify, the agency's work has become increasingly more vital.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick had previously asserted that NOAA was safe and would not be severely impacted by the Trump Administration's blitzkrieg of cuts. That does not appear to be the case.

“There is no plan or thought into how to continue to deliver science or service on weather, severe storms and events, conservation and management of our coasts and ocean life and much more,” Andrew Rosenberg, NOAA's former deputy director of National Marine Fisheries Service told The Guardian. “Let’s not pretend this is about efficiency, quality of work or cost savings because none of those false justifications are remotely true.”

Beyond the hundreds of workers that are now out of a job, like so much of the transformation that's taking place within the U.S. government, the impact of these cuts will be felt by everyday American citizens in the months and years to come. From floods, to tornados, hurricanes and wind-induced wildfires, the information and support NOAA provides is quite literally lifesaving. One thing that is crystal clear, this is a such a kook move in so many ways.

This article first appeared on SURFER and was syndicated with permission.

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