07/01/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/02/2024 07:39
Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Haley Stevens (MI-11) today sent a letter to Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Richard Spinrad requesting insight into why no warning was issued ahead of the tornado in Livonia on June 5 that killed a child and injured his mother.
"We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the recent tornado and extreme weather in Michigan, which resulted in the tragic loss of life and severe damage to our communities. As reported, a tornado struck without any advance warning from the National Weather Service (NWS), which operates under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)," the lawmakers write. "Emergency alerts are vital during natural disasters. They provide essential warnings that enable people to take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families. The lack of a warning in this event raises questions about the current alert systems and their effectiveness in rapidly developing situations."
Specifically, the lawmakers requested answers to the following questions:
View the full text of the letter here.