Expert Says Hurricane Isaac Is a Critical Test for Infrastructure

Thomas D. O’Rourke, an expert on the impact of earthquakes and hurricanes on infrastructure and Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, is available to comment on the potential impact of Hurricane Isaac on the New Orleans infrastructure.

Prof. O’Rourke served four years on the National Academies Committee for New Orleans Hurricane Protection Projects, with responsibility after Hurricane Katrina for reviewing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data and analyses. The committee also reviewed the New Orleans Hurricane Protection System, summarized lessons learned from the Hurricane Katrina experience, and identified ways to improve future hurricane protection systems.