Some in the Quad Cities are concerned that there will be little margin in a major severe weather outbreak and that long hours will grind down the 14-person staff down over time, leaving the community vulnerable.
Wolf, the retired Davenport meteorologist, said he’s worried. As many as 12 employees used to simultaneously staff severe weather outbreaks, he said. The cuts leave fewer people for reinforcements, particularly if other forecasting offices are tied up in their own weather crises.
“When you have a staff of 14 and you need 10 people, now, all of a sudden, you’re in a world of hurt,” Wolf said. “If we have a big, severe weather event in the next week or two, I’m sure they will carry on and do a really good job with it as they have historically. The challenge comes when you’re stressing the whole system time after time after time.”
Brian Payne, the emergency manager for Scott County, Iowa, who works closely with the office, said that it was providing a similar level of service so far and that he hadn’t noticed any issues.
“We rely very heavily on them,” Payne said, adding that he was concerned about staffing and change at the agency. “They sound tired.”
A former National Weather Service employee with knowledge of the situation in Davenport said the staff’s professionalism and dedication were preventing worse outcomes.
“They all pitch in and work the hours and crazy shifts to get the job done,” said the former employee, who was concerned that speaking out would make the office a target. “I just feel bad for the staff. There’s a lot of weight on their shoulders.”
Sorensen said employees fear retribution and are scared to speak out.
“These are my friends. These are my colleagues. I went to college 25 years ago with the meteorologist-in-charge here,” Sorensen said, referring to Friedlein. “They’re nervous that what they say may have a political ramification, and then somebody much like a bully back in high school will come and knock them down for no reason, right?”
