COULEE DAM, Wash., The Trump administration’s drive to ax workers at federal agencies tasked with keeping our dams safe is raising alarms louder than a flood siren. With the reduction of nearly 400 Bureau of Reclamation workers, yes, the people who ensure your electricity and water don’t go kaput, experts caution we might soon be under water, minus the safety net.

The Bureau of Reclamation isn’t just a fancy name; it provides water and hydropower to 17 western states. So, uh, yeah, it’s kind of a big deal. According to Lori Spragens, the executive director for the Association of Dam Safety Officials, the remaining skeleton crew is a recipe for disaster. “Without these dam operators and experts, public safety is on shaky ground,” she warned. But hey, efficiency over safety, right?

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly reassured us that streamlining the workforce means quicker disaster responses. As if what we really needed was less bureaucracy while our dams are held together by a prayer and some duct tape.

Imagine if the folks ensuring that our dams don’t spontaneously combust could be labeled “excess”. Yes, those engineers and hydrologists who monitor and inspect these enormous concrete beasts are apparently not essential anymore.

As the clock ticks down on public safety, rumors swirl of looming layoffs while the Bureau scrambles to figure out how to keep the lights on (literally). “As we lose institutional knowledge from people leaving, we limit our ability to ensure public safety,” said one remaining hydrologist who preferred to stay anonymous because, understandably, no one wants to be next on the chopping block.

Oh, and don’t forget about our favorite extra in this disaster film: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Word on the street is they’re gearing up to send hundreds of workers packing as well, including the crucial staff who oversee safe river navigation. Because who really needs safety when we can have layoffs?

With multiple federal agencies also slashing jobs, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is cutting 10% of its workforce, it’s clear the neglect of our infrastructure is a trend in the makin’.

California’s Senator Alex Padilla is strapping on his cape, emphasizing that dam safety is a national security issue. “Americans deserve better,” he stated, promising to hold this administration accountable for its reckless antics. Spoiler: We’ll be waiting for those promises to materialize while hoping our dams remain standing.

If this isn’t enough chaos, the last inspection revealed thousands of dams across the nation are in poor shape, just itching to fail. Why are we still talking about budget cuts and staff reductions when it’s our safety on the line? Time to rethink those priorities, folks before it’s too late.