NC St Univ Experts Can Discuss Hurricane, Disaster Issues

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Media Contact:
For help contacting the experts listed below, contact NC State News Services at 919/515-3470.

Aug. 29, 2005

NC State Experts Can Discuss Hurricane, Disaster Issues

Media looking for information on a variety of hurricane topics can contact the following North Carolina State University experts:

Physics of Hurricanes
NC State meteorologist and State Climatologist Dr. Sethu Raman has studied hurricanes for more than 20 years, and can discuss the structure of hurricanes, the paths they take and their interaction with the environment. Raman is compiling a history of storms in North Carolina, their tracking and rainfall distribution. He can be reached at 919/515-1440 or 515-3056.

Storm Surge and Flood Prediction
Coastal meteorologists and oceanographers Drs. Leonard Pietrafesa and Lian Xie (pronounced Leon Zhay) can discuss their research on hurricane formation. Specifically, they can talk about hurricane climatology and seasonal prediction; storm surge and coastal flooding forecasting; and ocean-hurricane interaction.

Xie is at 919/515-1435; Pietrafesa can be reached at 919/515-7777.

Hurricane Formation and Function
Meteorologist Dr. Al Riordan can discuss the ways hurricanes form and function. Riordan’s number is 919/515-7973.

Hurricane Numbers and Conditions
Associate State Climatologist Ryan Boyles is a weather and climate specialist who can explain why there have been so many hurricanes this year and discuss the conditions necessary to spawn them. He can be reached at 919/513-2816.

Evacuation Planning
Civil engineer Dr. Billy Williams can talk about his research on detailed analyses and modeling of traffic operations during evacuation situations, including lane-reversal plans. He can be reached at 919/515-7813.

Agricultural Effects
Crop scientist Dr. Jim Dunphy can discuss the effects high winds, heavy rainfall and prolonged flooding have on crops. He can be reached at 919/515-5813.

Water Quality
Dr. Greg Jennings is an expert in water quality. Jennings can discuss a hurricane’s effects on drinking water quality and on pollution from farms and urban runoff. He can be reached at 919/515-6771 or 919/218-0137.

Effects on Children and Parents
Dr. Karen DeBord can discuss the effects of disasters, like hurricanes, on children and parents, and how to help parents assist their children in preparing for and recovering from a disaster. She can be reached at 919/515-9147.

Home Cleanup and Restoration
Dr. Sarah Kirby can talk about a variety of topics on storm damage to homes, including furniture cleaning, minor structural repairs, and moisture on wood or wood products. She can be reached at 919/515-9154.

Food Safety
Dr. Angela Fraser can discuss home food preservation and other food safety issues. She can be reached at 919/515-9150.

On the Web
A State Climate Office Web site with real-time access to weather information collected from nearly 250 stations around the state and bordering regions can be accessed at http://www.nc-climate.ncsu.edu/cronos.

A list of N.C. Cooperative Extension personnel with expertise in disaster-related issues can be accessed at http://www.cals.ncsu.edu:8050/agcomm/writing/disaster/.

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