Accurate hurricane forecasting at risk?

There are concerns that budget cuts could jeopardize future accurate hurricane forecasting. Proposed cuts in the budget of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and in funding for new satellites could undermine the National Hurricane Center's forecasting ability. Florida Sen. Bill Nelson told reporters in a visit to NHC headquarters in Miami that defunding NOAA programs was "like cutting off your nose to spite your face." Nelson said there was also talk about possible Defense Department cuts to funding for the 10 C-130 Super Hercules "hurricane hunter" planes based in Biloxi, Miss. He vowed that the proposed cuts would be halted in the Senate, saying the "hurricane hunter" program was about "saving lives and trying to lessen property damage." (Source: Reuters, 09/01/11)