A More Empathetic World

Jackson, KY – May 18, 2025

— A devastating oversight by DOGE has come to light following a deadly tornado that swept through parts of eastern Kentucky earlier this week. DOGE acknowledged Friday that a cost-cutting decision led directly to a critical staffing gap at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Jackson, Kentucky — a gap that resulted in no tornado warning being issued overnight as a powerful storm struck.

The tornado, which touched down just after midnight Tuesday, tore through Breathitt and surrounding counties, killing three people and injuring dozens. Many residents say they received no advance warning.

“We failed them,” said DOGE Director Elon Musk during a press conference in Washington. “In our attempt to improve efficiency, we made a decision that endangered lives. We are fully responsible for what happened in Jackson.”

According to internal documents obtained by reporters and later confirmed by Langford, DOGE approved a staffing reduction at the Jackson NWS office last fall, eliminating the overnight forecaster position. That forecaster — a 15-year veteran meteorologist — had been responsible for issuing overnight warnings and monitoring severe weather events while other staff were off duty.

With no one on duty in the early morning hours of May 13, no tornado warning was issued until after the storm had already passed.

‘A Void When It Mattered Most’

Residents of Jackson and neighboring communities expressed grief and frustration. “We didn’t hear anything — no sirens, no alerts, nothing,” said Eliza Thompson, whose home was destroyed in the storm. “I thought we had a system to keep us safe.”

The NWS Office in Jackson has long served as a vital resource for the Appalachian region, particularly during spring and summer storm seasons. Colleagues say the decision to eliminate the overnight forecaster was made against the advice of senior meteorologists, who raised concerns about reduced safety.

“It was a void when it mattered most,” said Chris Daly, a forecaster who worked alongside the dismissed employee. “We’ve always said that a minute can make the difference between life and death. Now we’ve seen it happen.”

A Reckoning for Policy and Priorities

DOGE’s acknowledgment has sparked bipartisan outrage on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers calling for a full review of cost-cutting measures across the National Weather Service and other critical infrastructure agencies.

Senator Tammy Carlisle (D-KY) said in a statement, “This tragedy was not inevitable. It was the result of bureaucratic overreach and a fundamental misunderstanding of what government efficiency really means.”

A House oversight committee has scheduled a hearing for next week, during which DOGE and NOAA officials are expected to testify.

In the meantime, the DOGE says it is working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to restore full overnight staffing to all regional NWS offices and is reviewing all recent personnel cuts with an eye toward public safety.

Musk ended his statement with an emotional apology to the families affected. “To the people of Jackson and all those grieving, we can only say: we are sorry. We are committed to doing better — and ensuring this never happens again.”