FIU emerges as the leader in hurricane damage research

[HURAKAN]

FIU emerges as the leader in hurricane damage research

MIAMI, FL (May 30, 2007) – Gov. Charlie Crist approved more than $18 million in hurricane research funds for projects currently underway at Florida International University. The new funds will help guarantee the viability and long-term success of research projects aimed at saving lives, securing property and providing a better understanding of hurricanes, the most costly of natural disasters.

Gov. Crist signed a budget that includes $15 million for a building that will house FIU’s International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC); $2 million for the “Wall of Wind,” a machine that simulates full-scale hurricane winds and rain to test construction techniques and materials; and $1.1 million for a public loss computer model that will assist state officials in predicting hurricane damage and setting home insurance rates.

“I thank Gov. Crist and the Legislature for investing in such a critical issue for our state,” said FIU President Modesto A. Maidique. “Hurricane damage mitigation is one of the areas where the academic community can make a tremendous difference.”

The investment in FIU is the largest made by the state this year in hurricane research.

“We became involved in hurricane research as a result of Hurricane Andrew’s ravages on our community 15 years ago.” said Maidique. “The seed that the We Will Rebuild Foundation planted then has come to fruition with the state’s very significant vote of confidence in our research.”

The new home of the IHRC, which will be located next door to the renowned National Hurricane Center on the west side of University Park, will house the IHRC’s four institutes: the Laboratory for Coastal Research; the Laboratory for Social Science Research; the Laboratory for Insurance, Financial & Economic Research; and the Laboratory for Wind Engineering Research. The state-of-the-art facility could serve as a hub for coordination with federal and state agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), NASA, NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

The FIU Wall of Wind, first-of-its-kind, will be boosted to its next phase by the $2 million investment. The testing system, which consists of a series of large industrial fans powered by race car engines, will be able to produce a wind field equivalent to a Category Four hurricane.

The other key hurricane project funded this year is the Public Hurricane Loss Projection Model, which forecasts losses from hurricane damage. This is similar to the models insurance companies use to set rates but unlike those of insurance companies, this model is public and open , allowing decision makers to understand and compare industry figures.

Leatherman said projects such as the Public Loss Model and the WoW have been developed by cross-disciplinary teams that include leading scientists from throughout the country. The WoW for example, is being lead by a group of wind engineers including IHRC Distinguished Research Professor Emil Simiu, who is considered one of the leading wind engineers in the world. Simiu is also a fellow at the National Institute for Standards and Technology in Washington D.C. He is the recipient of numerous industry awards.

“Dr. Simiu’s participation on our team is a testament to the quality research we’re doing at FIU,” Leatherman said. “I’m extremely pleased and grateful that not only our peers, but now also our state officials are clearly behind the work we’re doing for Florida and the nation.”

—FIU—

http://news.fiu.edu/releases/2007/05-30 ... search.htm


Very good news. The university is working on establishing a strong program of Meteorology and the International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) is working on projects related to hurricane protection.