“Following the disastrous and deeply devastating flash flooding in Texas this weekend, I write to urge you to immediately to open an investigation into the scope, breadth, and ramifications of whether staffing shortages at key local National Weather Service (NWS) stations contributed to the catastrophic loss of life and property during the deadly flooding. My heart breaks for the at least 78 people including at least 21 children – who have died as of this writing, the many others who remain missing, and all people impacted by this tragedy. Many of the victims were swept away in the early morning hours of July 4 as flash floods devastated Kerr County and the surrounding region, including a private summer camp. This is a national tragedy which people across the country are mourning. The American people deserve answers,” writes Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer in a letter to Commerce Department Acting IG Roderick Anderson’s shredder.