THE PLOT THINS, NHC IN TURMOIL 

 

Elsewhere on this site the plight of the QuicScat satellite and the role of Bill Proenza, the current head of the NHC (National Hurricane Center), have been discussed.  Mr. Proenza shortly after taking over as chief hurricane hunter in January, 2007 has taken it upon himself to criticize almost everyone around him, the Federal Government for its funding or non-funding practices particularly with the eminent demise, according to Proenza, of the QuicScat satellite and NOAA for various sins and did so in the name of making the National Hurricane Center a better servant of the American people.  Now however half of the relatively small NHC staff have taken umbrage against him for alienating their parent funding and control agencies and have asked for his resignation stating he has poisoned the family atmosphere of the place making it difficult to work there.  All of this has been exacerbated by a Commerce Department study pointing the finger at NHCs ability to produce accurate forecasts, their report due July 20th.  A poll taken by AOL news service revealed that more that 50% of respondents were only somewhat confident in NHC forecasts,  and  17%  have no confidence at all. Stay tuned here for further developments. Proenza has refused to resign despite the controversy, further stirring the pot.

 

What does this mean for the American people?  If our weather prognosticators are not happy and do not have the backing of their parent agencies and are feuding with their director how are they going to perform when the next Bogey Man comes knocking on the closet door?  Will the forecasts be less accurate, can we count on them to give good service?

 

This is just one more reason to value HURRICANE FINDER as it works without governmental interference, satellite coverage or feuding agencies.  It's independent of all that.  Isn't it time you take charge of your own destiny?