Overview

• NWS says products, watches and warnings will be issued as normal, with the Houston/Galveston office operating under contingency plans and tight staffing.
• NOAA announced its main social account would not be updated, but NHC continued posting hurricane updates and core websites remain active for public safety.
• Essential employees are working through the shutdown, in some cases without pay, and routine public communications are limited.
• Nonessential work — including research, model improvements, education programs and some maintenance — is expected to pause or be curtailed during the shutdown.
• Existing staffing gaps, including 11 vacancies at the Houston office, raise the risk of reduced flexibility and degrading forecast accuracy if the disruption lasts.