Taken by Storm: Hurricane Experts Available

Newswise — Hurricane Ike was the third most destructive hurricane to ever make landfall in the United States and left such an imprint as to be among the list of retired hurricane names for the annals. As you consider stories for your coverage of this year's hurricanes and tropical storms, be prepared with these resources from the University of Houston representing experts across a variety of fields. If you are unable to reach a professor, call Lisa Merkl at 713-743-8192 or Marisa Ramirez at 713-743-8152.

RIGHT INSURANCE POLICIES KEY TO PROTECTIONRobert Schneller, director for environmental health and risk management at UH, can discuss what type of insurance is needed for hurricane coverage. He can explain why residents in coastal counties need separate policies for windstorm damage. He also can talk about FEMA's national flood insurance program, as well as offer tips on steps to take before a hurricane or tropical storm hits and what to do after if property damage is sustained.

KEEPING ANXIETIES AT BAYFor many Houston-area residents who survived the living nightmare that was Hurricane Ike, another round of storms brings with it another round of anxieties. Peter Norton, a clinical psychologist and associate professor who runs UH's Anxiety Disorder Clinic, works on the front lines of treatment and research.

SURVIVORS STRUGGLING WITH POST-TRAUMATIC STRESSWhile it will take years to fully understand Hurricane Ike's profound effects on locals' mental health, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) likely will play a significant role. Patrick Bordnick, an associate professor at the UH Graduate College of Social Work, runs a lab equipped with a storm simulator used to treat those with PTSD and also has treated patients with general storm phobias.

WORTH HIS SALT: STORM CHASER TACKLES HURRICANESJames Lawrence, UH associate professor of geosciences, has developed an innovative device to measure the salt content of rain while flying through tropical storms and hurricanes. Lawrence's research is aimed at understanding how extra heat derived from sea spray enhances the development of the dangerous Category 3 to 5 hurricanes. The instrument was developed for use on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) P3 research aircraft and flew last fall in Hurricane Paloma. His team is rebuilding the device to make it sturdier, with plans to fly it on all the hurricane missions of the Hurricane Research Division of NOAA this season.

PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER: SAFETY NETS KEY FOR MEDICATIONPharmacy professor Ray Hammond can offer tips on precautions people should take to ensure they have access to needed prescription medication during hurricanes or other natural disasters. They also can discuss a state law that can provide a safety net for patients, along with other medication-related preparedness tips.

EVACUATIONS: HOW TO RESPOND DURING AND AFTER THE STORMPeter Bishop, UH associate professor of human development and consumer science, can discuss a strategic plan for evacuation and can explore the potential long-term economic and social repercussions of disasters. Bishop also can address changes in public policies and people's behavior in the face of hurricanes, as well as society's fears of natural disasters and how those fears trigger reactions such as the massive evacuation during Hurricane Rita.

TO EAT OR NOT TO EAT: FOOD SAFETY WHEN POWER IS OUTJay Neal and Nancy Graves, both professors with the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, can answer questions about how long food can go before spoiling without refrigeration and what steps can be taken to protect food in your freezer in the event of an extended power outage.

GIVE US YOUR TIRED, YOUR WEARY: SHELTER FROM THE STORMIn times of crisis the hospitality industry recognizes a responsibility to those escaping the storm. Carl Boger, associate dean of academic programs for the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, can address how hotels manage the crisis for the weary traveler.

PROPERTY DAMAGE: RECOUPING YOUR LOSSESDan Jones, an executive professor in the Bauer College of Business, has extensive experience in insurance and expertise in risk management. He can speak about steps property owners should take following a natural disaster.

LIGHTS OUT! GETTING AROUND WITHOUT POWERLuces Faulkenberry, UH associate professor of engineering technology, can share tips on what to do in the loss of electrical power. He also can address the dangers associated with downed power lines and submerged wiring.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT WORK IN CASE OF CRISISHolly Hutchins, UH assistant professor of human development and consumer science, can discuss the effects a hurricane will have on employees, such as maintaining contact with employers and what to do when their place of employment has been destroyed. She also can address issues that face employers, including the areas of crisis management training and post-crisis learning.

LEGAL MATTERS ASSOCIATED WITH STORMSRichard Alderman with the UH Law Center can discuss topics such as price gouging before hurricanes and consumer complaints about repairs, landlords, insurance issues and other legal matters involving damage to homes, trees and businesses in the aftermath of a storm.

REPLENISHING GALVESTON'S BEACHES: A SISYPHEAN TASKDonald Van Nieuwenhuise, director of professional geoscience programs at UH, says that while beach replenishment is touted to bring in tourist dollars, it is a short-term solution to protect Galveston from hurricanes. He can discuss past sand replenishment efforts, including what occurred with Hurricane Ike, and explain why even a Category 2 hurricane could easily remove all beach replenishment sands.

THE ECONOMICS OF DISASTER RELIEFThomas DeGregori, professor of economics, has written the article "The Do's and Don'ts of Disaster Relief," which can be found at http://www.acsh.org/factsfears/newsID.630/news_detail.asp. He is an economic development expert, and has written about and been an adviser on disaster relief.

LESSER OF TWO EVILS: HOW TO MITIGATE THE DAMAGECumaraswamy Vipulanandan, chair of civil and environmental engineering and director of the Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technologies, deals with how to mitigate damage to structures and pipelines on and offshore, and how to protect coastal areas during extreme weather conditions.

HOTELS AS A PORT IN THE STORMEd Carrette, the general manger of the Hilton University of Houston Hotel, was one of more than 20 hotel employees who worked around the clock during Hurricane Ike to ensure the safety and comfort of hotel guests. He has been part of hurricane preparations at many hotels, including the one at UH.

HOW THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL PREPARES AND HANDLES THREATSPat Bellamy, director of the Southwest Public Safety Technology Center and engineering professor at UH, can discuss how the Houston Ship Channel prepares for and handles the threat of hurricanes.

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