Table of Contents
- Fired While Protecting the Public
- Who Is Corina Allen?
- America’s Aging Tsunami Alert Infrastructure
- What Her Firing Means for National Safety
- A Pattern of Science Cuts Under Trump-Era Policies
- Sources
Tsunami Warning Expert Fired While Upgrading Critical Systems
In a move that has alarmed disaster preparedness advocates, Corina Allen—the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) tsunami program manager—was abruptly terminated in February 2025, despite leading urgent upgrades to the U.S. tsunami warning system. “I always wanted to be a public servant and do science for the good of the people,” Allen told The New York Times in a recent interview .
Her dismissal is part of a broader wave of federal science cuts that critics say jeopardize public safety and erode America’s ability to respond to natural disasters.
Who Is Corina Allen?
Allen’s path to NOAA began with trauma: as a child in 1989, she survived the Loma Prieta earthquake, an experience that sparked her lifelong commitment to understanding geologic hazards. She went on to earn a graduate degree in structural geology and worked for the Washington Geological Survey before joining NOAA in July 2024.
At NOAA, her mission was clear: ensure tsunami alerts reach the public quickly and clearly. “A faster, smarter alert system saves lives,” she said. But just months into her role—and still on probation—she was let go without warning.
America’s Aging Tsunami Alert Infrastructure
Allen wasn’t just managing alerts—she was racing to modernize them. Much of NOAA’s tsunami warning technology relies on systems dating back to the 1960s, with outdated software that slows response times and limits message detail .
Her work focused on integrating real-time data, improving message clarity, and coordinating with coastal communities to ensure alerts translate into action. “We were building the digital backbone for the next generation of early warnings,” she recalled.
Key Gaps in Current U.S. Tsunami Preparedness
| Issue | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Warning System Age | Core software from 1960s–1980s |
| Staffing Levels | “Bare-bones,” per Allen; key roles unfilled |
| Public Alert Reach | Inconsistent across rural and island communities |
| R&D Funding | NOAA Oceanic Research arm facing deep cuts |
What Her Firing Means for National Safety
Losing Allen isn’t just about one person—it’s about losing irreplaceable expertise. “This isn’t a job you can fill with a LinkedIn post,” said a former colleague who asked to remain anonymous. “It takes years to understand both the science and the emergency response ecosystem.”
With climate change increasing the frequency of extreme coastal events, experts warn that delayed or unclear tsunami warnings could lead to catastrophic loss of life—especially in vulnerable regions like Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific Northwest.
A Pattern of Science Cuts Under Trump-Era Policies
Allen’s story is part of The New York Times’ “Lost Science” series, which documents scientists dismissed or defunded following policy shifts linked to the Trump administration’s 2025 federal budget priorities .
“Nobody works for the federal government for the paycheck,” Allen said. “You’re there because you believe in service.” Now working for Washington state’s Department of Natural Resources, she continues her mission—but at a fraction of the national scale she once operated at.
Advocates are calling for congressional hearings on NOAA’s preparedness funding, warning that cutting science staff today could cost lives tomorrow.
