News

Edwards nominates NWS for federal award for Helene forecasting, guidance

By Bill Moss, Published: April 14, 2025

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards has nominated the Greenville-Spartanburg National Weather Service team for its forecasting and guidance before during and after Hurricane Helene.

The 2025 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals — or Sammies — are awarded to exceptional federal employees whose accomplishments have benefited the nation and builds trust in our government.

“The Greenville-Spartanburg NWS team showcased extraordinary dedication and expertise during Hurricane Helene, saving lives through early preparation and real-time responses," Edwards said. “Helene tragically claimed 250 lives across the southwestern United States, 107 of which were in Western North Carolina, but this death toll would have been far higher without the team’s efforts."

“Thanks to their early warnings and actionable guidance, thousands of residents across multiple states were able to evacuate or take protective measures before the storm hit Western North Carolina," Edwards continued. “The Greenville-Spartanburg NWS team’s actions, marked by innovation and excellence, underscored the importance of proactive preparation, effective communication, and interagency collaboration in protecting communities from extreme weather events. By setting a high standard for public service, the Greenville-Spartanburg NWS team not only saved lives during Hurricane Helene, but they also established a benchmark for how federal agencies should respond to future disasters. I’m proud to nominate them for the Sammies award.”