DEAR EDITOR:

I’m sure readers recall some of the most recent and devastating extreme weather events that have impacted our community, such as the tornado that tore through Route 82 and the Turnpike in April of last year. I remember getting a weather alert on my phone and rushing out of class to call my parents to make sure they were safe. The National Weather Service (NWS) has already confirmed 11 tornadoes in the state in 2025 so far. Tornadoes form quickly and are incredibly destructive; we’ve all seen pictures of overturned cars, destroyed homes, and telephone poles torn out of the ground.

We’ve all received alerts from the NWS warning us in advance, giving us enough time to take cover. It’s these warnings that prevent so many potential injuries and deaths as tornadoes become more and more common.

So, can you imagine what might happen without these warnings?

The NWS is operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Adminisration. According to the Associated Press, 1 in 4 NOAA jobs will be eliminated after the most recent round of federal budget cuts. The NOAA plays a crucial role in reporting extreme weather events like tornados before they happen, making sure we have enough time to prepare for storms. With these budget and employee cuts, we risk losing access to these vital alerts that help keep our families safe.

I urge readers to reach out to our senators, Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, to tell them that the NOAA is critical to keeping Northeast Ohioans safe.

Without the NOAA, we won’t need to imagine what would happen without weather alerts, and it won’t be pretty for Ohio.

ELIZABETH LAWRENCE

Garrettsville