Hurricane recon deployments 101

Hurricane recon deployments 101

Author: Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure July 21, 2025 Duration: 15:47
University of Florida Professor and coastal engineer Nina Stark dives into the logistics of post-hurricane data collection.

The forces that shape our world aren't always gentle. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes are a reality of life on this planet, but the scale of their impact is something we can influence. DesignSafe Radio, from the Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure team, delves into the human ingenuity working to soften the blow of these events. This isn't just a theoretical discussion; it's a close look at the rigorous testing, data, and engineering research funded by the National Science Foundation that aims to protect communities. Each episode pulls back the curtain on how scientists and engineers are learning from past disasters to fortify our future. You'll hear conversations about the tools and methods transforming how we understand structural resilience, offering a tangible sense of how research translates into real-world safety. The goal is straightforward: to ensure the next natural hazard doesn't escalate into a catastrophe for families and neighborhoods. Tune into this podcast for a grounded perspective on the intersection of science, education, and practical solutions, where complex research is made accessible and the focus remains firmly on building a more durable society.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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Podcast Episodes
Understanding major storms: key to coastal resilience [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:04
Understanding the behavior of coastal systems requires specialized researchers, including engineers, to instrument shorelines before a major storm — and to collect and analyze the resulting data. Woods Hole scientist Bri…
NEER Episode 2 : Nearshore breakwaters and unintended consequences [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:11
Coastal scientist Britt Raubenheimer describes NEER’s data reconnaissance missions before, during, and after Hurricane Laura, which struck southwestern Louisiana in 2020. NEER data revealed that breakwater structures cou…
NEER: Improving resilience of the nearshore during extreme events [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:22
Woods Hole scientist Britt Raubenheimer talks with host Dan Zehner about coastal resiliency. Raubenheimer is principal investigator for NSF-funded Nearshore Extreme Event Reconnaissance team, NEER. NEER deploys multi-dis…
Frank Lombardo Episode 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:03
Episode 3: A new experimental facility for simulating windstorms The National Science Foundation is funding a new, multihazard experimental facility called “NICHE,” still in the planning stages. As a co-principal investi…
Frank Lombardo Episode 2: Triangulating clues to tornadoes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:11
Although dust devils can provide clues to tornado winds, U of Illinois wind engineer Frank Lombardo says tornadic behavior is still largely a mystery – and a bigger risk than researchers previously thought. He details wa…
Episode 1: Wind engineers hunt dust devils with Frank Lombardo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07
Dust devils! Understanding how these short-lived whirlwinds behave may help wind engineers understand tornadoes. In field studies, U of Illinois wind engineer Frank Lombardo collects data on dust devils, which occur more…
Pedro Fernandez-Caban: Full interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:32
Wind engineer Pedro Fernández-Cabán conducts experiments at the NHERI University of Florida wind tunnel, trying to discover how to prevent roof failure in low-rise buildings during hurricanes.
Pedro Fernandez-Caban: Designing roofs to resist hurricane winds [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:28
Episode 1: Designing roofs to resist hurricane winds Wind engineer Pedro Fernández-Cabán conducts experiments at the NHERI University of Florida wind tunnel, trying to discover how to prevent roof failure in low-rise bui…