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The National Weather Service is authorized to hire 450 people by September 2026, including 126 positions approved under an emergency hiring exemption.

Experts are concerned that the rehiring process won't be completed in time for peak hurricane and wildfire seasons.

The agency remains understaffed compared to pre-Trump administration levels, even with the new hires.

New hires will alleviate the burden on existing employees who have been working overtime to maintain 24/7 operations.

The National Weather Service has taken steps to begin filling some of the more than 550 positions left vacant by federal cutbacks and early retirements since Inauguration Day.

In an all-hands meeting on Aug. 4, weather service employees learned the agency has received permission to

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