Hurricane experts available to discuss 2014 seasonTop researchers at the University of South Carolina are available to discuss multiple aspects of the 2014 hurricane season, including forecasting, disaster planning and historical perspectives:

Impact of intense precipitationIn addition to high winds, the water that accompanies hurricanes can overwhelm a region. Geology professorVenkat Lakshmi, a hydrometeorology expert, can discuss the impact of intense precipitation. After Hurricane Katrina, Lakshmi conducted a study on flooding along the Gulf Coast and its impact. He can discuss flash floods and the seriousness of flash-flood advisories, coastal erosion when sediment is washed away, and how the horizontal movement of wind and water changes the landscape. Lakshmi contact information: 803-361-0415 (mobile). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686, [email protected])

Assessing storm surge and damageJerry Mitchell, director of the S.C. Geographic Alliance, can discuss the nature and dynamics of storm surge and how the vulnerability of communities is determined. Most recently, Mitchell, along with other university geography researchers, mapped storm-surge inundation from Hurricane Katrina along the Gulf Coast and assessed where residents were the most vulnerable. Mitchell contact information: [email protected], 803-777-2986 (office), 803-252-2702 (home). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686, [email protected])

Recreating U.S. hurricane historyCary Mock, professor of geography and climatologist, has reconstructed a hurricane history for South Carolina and other areas of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, as well as for typhoons in the Pacific Ocean. From studying old diaries, 18th- and 19th-century plantation records, newspapers, ship logbooks and early meteorological records, he has created a perspective on hurricanes during the last several hundred years, which, in turn, is leading to a better understanding of hurricane patterns and the relationships between hurricanes and global climate change. Mock, who teaches meteorology courses, also can discuss the meteorological characteristics, climate, tracks and forecasting aspects of hurricanes. His research is funded by the National Science Foundation and NOAA. Mock contact information: [email protected], 803-787-6109 (home), 803-777-1211 (office; frequently there on weekends). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686,[email protected])

Bridge and building safety after stormsHow do storms impact bridges and buildings? Paul Ziehl, associate professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering, has significant experience with the design, post-event evaluation and remediation of reinforced concrete, steel, timber and fiber-reinforced polymer structures and systems, including bridges and buildings. He has additional experience and expertise in structural health monitoring of buildings and transportation systems. Ziehl contact information: 803-467-4030 (cell). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686, [email protected])

Infrastructure continuity during stormsNathan Huynh, an assistant professor in the department of civil and environmental engineering, has significant experience in the areas of intermodal network design, transportation systems, civil infrastructure systems and health care systems. The common thread in his research is how to ensure customer and patient safety during storms. Huynh contact information: 803-777-8947; [email protected] (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686, [email protected])

Levee breaches and closure proceduresHanif Chaudhry, associate dean in the College of Engineering and Computing, has studied the levee breaches in New Orleans, the worst of which occurred at the 17th Street Canal. Chaudhry is director of a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation that leads an international research effort on modeling of flood hazards due to levee breach and dam failure. Chaudhry contact information: 803-413-0044 (cell). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686,[email protected])

Hurricane impact on the oceansSubra Bulusu is an associate professor in the marine science program and the department of earth and ocean sciences. He can discuss a hurricane’s impact on the oceans using remote-sensing techniques, satellite oceanography and ocean modeling. Bulusu contact information:[email protected], 803-777-2572 (office). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686, [email protected])

Coastal storm impacts on fish, shellfish and marsh animalsDennis Allen is a research professor and resident director of the USC Baruch Marine Field Laboratory on the coast in Georgetown, S.C. With more than 30 years of experience on the S.C. coast, and professional interests in the ecology of fishes, shrimps, crabs, and less familiar animals of salt marshes, estuaries and the coastal ocean, he is available to discuss issues including threats and impacts of coastal storms. Allen was active in studying the environmental impact of 1989’s Hurricane Hugo. Allen contact information:[email protected] or 843-904-9025 (office). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686,[email protected])

Preparedness and policySusan Cutter, Carolina Distinguished Professor of Geography, is considered one of the leading authorities in the world on emergency preparedness, response and recovery, and social vulnerability to manmade and natural disasters. She is frequently consulted by government agencies for her expertise in the roles of public agencies, such as FEMA and state emergency-preparedness offices, in handling disasters. As director of the university’s Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute, one of the country’s top facilities for integrating hazards research with geospatial information, Cutter has done extensive grant-funded research on hurricane evacuations and how people decide whether to evacuate. Immediately after Katrina, she led a team of researchers who mapped storm-surge inundation along the Gulf Coast and assessed where residents were the most vulnerable. Most recently, with funding from a National Science Foundation grant, she has teamed up with several colleagues to study social vulnerability and rebuilding along the Gulf Coast after Katrina. She completed a 2011 survey of South Carolina hurricane evacuation behavior for the Army Corps of Engineers and South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD). Cutter contact information:[email protected]. (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686, [email protected])

Risk management and insuranceGreg Niehaus is faculty members with the Darla Moore School of Business. Niehaus is a professor of finance and insurance whose research on risk management and insurance is published in top journals. He can discuss risk assessment and insurance planning for coastal residents and businesses and can address residential property insurance, the impact of hurricane loss on insurance pricing and the damage estimation process after a hurricane. Niehaus contact information: [email protected], 803-777-7254 (office). (News contact: Peggy Binette, 803-777-7704,[email protected])

The economic impact of hurricanesDouglas Woodward, director of the division of research and professor of economics at the Darla Moore School of Business, can discuss the economic impact of a hurricane on South Carolina’s economy. Woodward is well known for his economic impact analysis and studies and is frequently called upon by national media for his insights to economic development, industry location and direct-foreign investment, particularly as they relate to South Carolina and the Southeast. Woodward contact information:[email protected] , 803-777- 4424 (office). (News contact: Peggy Binette, 803-777-7704,[email protected])

Retail and hospitality hurricane preparednessChristian Stegmaier specializes in hotel and restaurant law in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. He can discuss disaster planning preparedness, proper response following an emergency, and matters relating to the interruption of business/continuation of business. He can also talk about advising restaurants, hotels and convenience stores about the legal consequences resulting from price gouging following natural disasters. Stegmaier contact information: [email protected], 803-255-0454 (office). (News contact: Frenche Brewer, 803-777-3691,[email protected])

Impact on tourism marketSheryl Kline is an associate professor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. She can discuss the impact of hurricanes on travel planning and on the hotel industry. Kline contact information:[email protected], 803-777-3249 (office). (News contact: Frenche Brewer, 803-777-3691, [email protected])

Impact of storm surge, floodingGeorge Voulgaris, a coastal oceanographer, studies coastal erosion and wind- and tide-driven currents as well as wave activity and patterns along the South Carolina coast. He can discuss the effect of hurricanes on coastal erosion and how a hurricane’s storm surge affects land. Since Hurricane Katrina, Voulgaris has studied the resilience of barrier islands along the Gulf Coast. In 2004, Voulgaris and his team of researchers launched technology off the South Carolina coast that provided real-time waves, currents and water level information. More recently radar technology has been installed along the coast that enables marine scientists and state agencies to determine the severity of a hurricane’s impact as the storm occurs through real time observations of waves and currents over large areas of the coastal ocean extending to the Gulf Stream. He also can talk about the dangers of flooding during and after a hurricane. Voulgaris contact information: [email protected]. (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686, [email protected])

Impact of storms on coastal ecology, salt marshesJim Morris is a coastal marine scientist and director of the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences near Georgetown, S.C. He can address questions relating to the effect of sea-level rise and storms on our coast and its ecology, especially its salt marshes. Morris contact information: [email protected], 803-777-5288 (office). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686,[email protected])

Storm impacts on water qualityDianne Greenfield is a coastal marine scientist and an assistant professor with the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, and she holds a joint appointment with the Marine Resources Research Institute in Charleston. She can address questions relating to the effect of storms on our coast and its ecology, especially water quality, algal blooms and nutrients. Greenfield contact information: [email protected], 843-725-4823 (office). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686,[email protected])

Using GIS and other technology to assess coastal changesStorm surges and hurricane winds can alter the coast line dramatically, far beyond what can be seen during a walk along the beach. Dwayne E. Porter, chair of the department of environmental health sciences at the Arnold School of Public Health and research associate at the university’s Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences, can discuss how GIS and other technology are used to assess coastal changes that occur after a hurricane and the importance of such assessments for the environment and coastal planners. Porter contact information: [email protected], 803-528-9825 (cell). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686, [email protected])

How a storm changes marine organism health; pollution impacts of hurricanesPamela Morris is a marine microbial ecologist and research professor of the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences near Georgetown, S.C. She can address questions relating to the impact of coastal storms on microbial community shifts related to changes in marine organism health status, the identification of human and marine pathogen reservoirs and pollution impacts. Morris contact information: [email protected], 843-904-9039 (office), 843-991-8355 (cell). (News contact: Jeff Stensland, 803-777-3686, [email protected])

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