Sen. Brian Schatz praised NOAA’s decision over the weekend to cancel furloughs of employees, including those in the National Weather Service.

Schatz said he’d expressed concerns about the furloughs with hurricane season approaching. A member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, Schatz said he’d met with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials a couple of weeks ago, urging furloughs be rescinded for Hawaii staff. Schatz said he followed up with a letter Acting Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank.

The tornadoes in Oklahoma and Missouri probably had more to do with the decision. In a memo to employees announcing the decision, obtained by Politico, acting NOAA Administrator Kathy Sullivan wrote, “The events over the past week, including more devastating tornadoes tonight in Oklahoma and Missouri, remind us how important 

Still, Schatz applauded the move.  “These workers are essential and, as the devastating and saddening events of recent weeks remind us, must be on the job without interruption to keep our country safe,” he said in a statement. “Whether it is the heartland of America, our many national flood plains, the mainland coastlines exposed to hurricanes, or our Pacific islands, the know-how and experience of the people who help us understand and prepare for the potential impacts of weather is a team we can’t do without.”

— Kery Murakami