CBS 17 by Rachel Duensing

In a bipartisan effort led in part by North Carolina congresswoman Deborah Ross, lawmakers want to make sure funding will go toward three next generation hurricane hunter aircraft sooner rather than later.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration currently has two P-3 Orion planes, the big aircraft that flies into tropical storms and hurricanes to collect vital weather data. The data goes back to the National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service for meteorologists to update critical tropical forecasts.

We know how important accurate and up to date tropical forecasts are, even for those inland. But these planes are already older and expected to reach the end of their lives by 2030.

Since these planes are close to their last five years of service, lawmakers want the funding to be included in the 2025 fiscal year’s disaster supplemental appropriations. Ross, whose district covers Wake County, said fighting for funding for these three new hurricane hunters is a no brainer.

“You don’t want things that are less reliable and out of date,” Ross said. “We want, particularly when it comes to devastating storms that can take human lives, so much property, and have environmental damage, to make sure we are doing the best we possibly can for our citizens.”

The new aircraft was initially funded in the 2023 Disaster Supplemental Appropriations Act, but lawmakers want the rest of the funding included in the 2025 fiscal year disaster supplemental in order for the new aircraft to be ready to go by 2030.

To view the request from Ross’ office, click here.

More information about the next generation of hurricane hunter planes can be found here.

Link to full article: https://www.cbs17.com/news/north-carolina-news/lawmakers-in-nc-fight-for-funding-for-noaa-hurricane-hunters-aircraft/