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June 26, 2008

Subcommittees Examine State of Hurricane Research, Possible Improvements

(Washington, DC) – Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment and the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a joint hearing to examine the status of hurricane research and ways in which current research efforts could be improved.  The Subcommittees also received testimony on H.R. 2407, the National Hurricane Research Initiative Act of 2007. 

“The effects of Hurricane Katrina are still very visible in many of our districts, including mine,” said Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Nick Lampson (D-TX).  “There is an urgent need to continue to improve our forecasting and warning capabilities that will help prevent loss of life and property damage.”

“The devastating loss of life, dislocation of families, and damage to the economy resulting from Hurricane Katrina and others sent a loud and clear message,” said Subcommittee on Research and Science Education Chairman Brian Baird (D-WA).  “It is imperative that we improve our understanding of hurricanes and enhance our ability to predict, prepare for, and respond to them.”  

In response to an increase in hurricane activity in recent years, the National Science Board (NSB) commissioned a report, “Hurricane Warning: The Critical Need for a National Hurricane Research Initiative,” which was released in 2007.

While billions of tax dollars are spent on rescue and relief efforts after a hurricane strikes, the federal government invests relatively little in the science and engineering research that could prevent much of the destruction and greatly minimize losses.  The NSB estimated that federal fiscal year budget investments for science and engineering research related to hurricanes totaled around $200 million dollars in fiscal year 2006.  When attempting to assess federal dollars going to hurricane research at the time, the NSB found the exact numbers difficult to pinpoint, indicating a potential lack of focus and coordination among agencies. 

H.R. 2407, introduced by Representative Hastings (D-FL), establishes a National Hurricane Research Initiative to improve hurricane preparedness.  The proposed legislation sets research objectives based on the NSB report.  Witnesses testified on how the proposed legislation would affect the overall state of our nation’s hurricane preparedness, including our ability to save lives and mitigate property loss.

H.R 2407 also calls for the establishment of a National Infrastructure Data Base (NIDB) and The National Hurricane Research Test Bed (NHRTB).  The NIDB will be a comprehensive database serving as a baseline to develop measurement standards that will aid the research community’s ability to measure hurricane impacts and make effective recommendations for improved urban planning and building codes.  In addition, the bill calls for the establishment of the NHRTB, which will be an interdisciplinary laboratory focused primarily on the transfer of research knowledge to operational applications.  It will link models from a variety of related fields and conduct experimental integrative research. The NHRI is a model for a coordinated system to encourage interaction and collaboration for the purposes of a comprehensive hurricane research effort.

Witnesses for the hearing included:

  • Dr. John L. "Jack" Hayes, Assistant Administrator for Weather Services and the Director of the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). 
  • Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier, former Co-Chair of the National Science Board’s Task Force on Hurricane Science and Engineering.
  • Dr. Shuyi Chen, Associate Professor of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography at the University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences. 
  • Dr. David O. Prevatt, Assistant Professor at the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering, University of Florida.
  • Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Director of the International Hurricane Research Center at Florida International University.

Please visit the Committee’s website for more information. 

 

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