A computer glitch that caused a delay in National Weather Service warnings when a tornado hit Winterset in March revealed a need for multiple, reliable, modern systems to be in place when severe weather happens.
United States House members Rep. Cindy Axne, Rep. Randy Feenstra, Rep. Ashley Hinson and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks worked together to modernize the National Weather Service’s outdated communications network.
The legislation was passed through the House on Wednesday.
Hinson noted that “every second counts” when a disaster hits.
“I was proud to work in a bipartisan manner with my colleagues from Iowa on this legislation to help modernize the NWS Chat system and ensure that Iowans have the information necessary to stay safe during severe weather,” she said.
Axne said the legislation has the potential to save lives.
“I appreciated working with Rep. Feenstra and the rest of the Iowa delegation to support this commonsense and important legislation,” she said.
