As deadly tornadoes [tore through the Midwest and Plains ](https://www.cnn.com/weather/us-tornado-tracker-maps-charts-dg)last weekend, state and local search-and-rescue crews rushed to the devastated areas to look for survivors. It wasn’t until the teams deployed that they realized they were operating without a critical tornado-tracking tool typically provided by FEMA.
That left responders with a less precise picture of where to search first, two sources familiar with the situation told CNN.
The mapping tool pinpoints a tornado’s path of destruction within minutes of touchdown, helping responders focus on the hardest-hit neighborhoods as quickly as possible. Even in storms where FEMA itself doesn’t respond, state and local rescuers rely on the mapping tool, which is provided to them through the agency.
But it wasn’t available this time, because FEMA’s roughly $200,000 contract with the company that provides the data expired in February, and the agency’s request to renew it is still moving through Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s strict spending-approval process, according to the two sources and internal documents reviewed by CNN.
Ecstatic_Status_6917 on
And now they will say it’s not necessary since they saved people without it. Nevermind the fact it helps save more people, just enough is all they want for optics.
No positive change, just more lies and excuses till their propaganda machine can use it to sell the next narrative.
Fair72 on
The Epstein administration has no money for tracking tornadoes, it’s fraud, waste and abuse
They only have money for beds on a plane which is the real emergency!
NoMayoForReal on
Did she spend the money on her face?
birdpix on
They have already sliced the hurricane weather staff.
As someone in hurricane alley, weather accuracy and good predictions save lives. Stop firing science staffers!!
And stop dragging FEMA, too.
surfnfish1972 on
They cut every single thing that helps non billionaires, and dumbest and most mentally ill continue to support it.
Recent-Investment603 on
It’s actually un-fucking-believable the amount of decisions these people have made that will kill people. From healthcare to wars to food assistance to fucking weather technology. I am permanently in a fury over this god forsaken timeline we are in.
Mindless-Peak-1687 on
Ha ha.. and you will do nothing about it.
AliMcGraw on
This is literally exactly why I did storm spotter training through the NWS and volunteer as a ham radio storm spotter. This administration made absolutely clear that they were not going to be funding the National Weather Service and FEMA appropriately, so I got the training, and me and my handy talkie can relay reports on storm location to the repeater, so other hams can relay it to emergency responders.
HawkeyeSherman on
Republicans always find money to start wars, but never seem to fund anything for the American people.
NexusNickel on
Good thing the most of the midwest and plains states voted for Trump.
Look at all that WINNING!
Glad you got what you voted for.
nucumber on
Not to mention trump’s slashing the budgets and firing thousands in the National Weather Service and National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration
The trump administration is brain dead
Redditress428 on
Don’t worry, Markywayne won’t renew it either.
jimbis123 on
Good thing they spent 200+ million on ads, though.
bostonbean on
or because Dems cut the funding…
masterdizastah on
Is there anything these people can’t fuck up?
colbsk1 on
This is going to be an incredibly spicy tornado season. I can’t wait to see the response.
17 Comments
As deadly tornadoes [tore through the Midwest and Plains ](https://www.cnn.com/weather/us-tornado-tracker-maps-charts-dg)last weekend, state and local search-and-rescue crews rushed to the devastated areas to look for survivors. It wasn’t until the teams deployed that they realized they were operating without a critical tornado-tracking tool typically provided by FEMA.
That left responders with a less precise picture of where to search first, two sources familiar with the situation told CNN.
The mapping tool pinpoints a tornado’s path of destruction within minutes of touchdown, helping responders focus on the hardest-hit neighborhoods as quickly as possible. Even in storms where FEMA itself doesn’t respond, state and local rescuers rely on the mapping tool, which is provided to them through the agency.
But it wasn’t available this time, because FEMA’s roughly $200,000 contract with the company that provides the data expired in February, and the agency’s request to renew it is still moving through Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s strict spending-approval process, according to the two sources and internal documents reviewed by CNN.
And now they will say it’s not necessary since they saved people without it. Nevermind the fact it helps save more people, just enough is all they want for optics.
No positive change, just more lies and excuses till their propaganda machine can use it to sell the next narrative.
The Epstein administration has no money for tracking tornadoes, it’s fraud, waste and abuse
They only have money for beds on a plane which is the real emergency!
Did she spend the money on her face?
They have already sliced the hurricane weather staff.
As someone in hurricane alley, weather accuracy and good predictions save lives. Stop firing science staffers!!
And stop dragging FEMA, too.
They cut every single thing that helps non billionaires, and dumbest and most mentally ill continue to support it.
It’s actually un-fucking-believable the amount of decisions these people have made that will kill people. From healthcare to wars to food assistance to fucking weather technology. I am permanently in a fury over this god forsaken timeline we are in.
Ha ha.. and you will do nothing about it.
This is literally exactly why I did storm spotter training through the NWS and volunteer as a ham radio storm spotter. This administration made absolutely clear that they were not going to be funding the National Weather Service and FEMA appropriately, so I got the training, and me and my handy talkie can relay reports on storm location to the repeater, so other hams can relay it to emergency responders.
Republicans always find money to start wars, but never seem to fund anything for the American people.
Good thing the most of the midwest and plains states voted for Trump.
Look at all that WINNING!
Glad you got what you voted for.
Not to mention trump’s slashing the budgets and firing thousands in the National Weather Service and National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration
The trump administration is brain dead
Don’t worry, Markywayne won’t renew it either.
Good thing they spent 200+ million on ads, though.
or because Dems cut the funding…
Is there anything these people can’t fuck up?
This is going to be an incredibly spicy tornado season. I can’t wait to see the response.