The people who once ran the federal weather and oceans agency say it touches people’s daily lives in unnoticed ways and that massive firings there could cause needless deaths and a big hit to America’s economy.

“The economic impacts of coral reefs in the United States are around $3.4 billion annually. There's an immense population of people living in close proximity to those reefs," said Jennifer Koss, the director of NOAA’s coral reef conservation program. “Climate change is the single biggest threat to shallow water coral reefs in the U.S. and worldwide," said Kelsey of the University of Maryland. We hope the report starts a dialogue about the various factors and potential solutions to the threats affecting coral reefs,” Koss said. Reefs were in American Samoa and the most remote areas of the Pacific were in “good condition.” Florida reefs were said to be in “impaired" condition.

A new mobile tool could help you find the best conditions for a day on the water by checking flow conditions and river gauge levels from the U.S. Geological Survey. In addition to real-time information on water levels, you can check local weather observations and flood forecasts all in one place on a computer, smartphone or other mobile device. Several local sites including the Ortega River and Black Creek show this month’s elevated water conditions. During flood events, the new USGS National Water Dashboard can provide information that can help protect lives and property. “Giving individuals access to water information whether it be a flood or drought, on their mobile device, will help protect lives and property.”