ALEXANDRIA, VA Forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are predicting at least seven Atlantic hurricanes this year, with as many as five matching Ivan's destructive force. An unprecedented four hurricanes struck Florida in rapid succession during the fall of 2004. Since 1900, tropical storms making landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast have caused more than $100 billion in damages (adjusted to 2004 dollars). Over the past 30 years coastal population growth has quadrupled; more than 69 million people now reside along the hurricane prone coastlines in the United States.
In light of the hurricane season predictions, the Congressional Hazards Caucus Coalition will sponsor two one-hour briefings on "Hurricanes: Lessons Learned to Reduce Future Risk," on Capitol Hill, Monday July 11, 2005. Both briefings will cover the same content, including what scientists, engineers and first responders have learned from tracking storm movements, responding to emergencies, and surveying coastal and infrastructure damage. The first briefing will be held at 10:00 am in room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building, and the second will be at 1:30 pm in room 2325 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
The meeting will be moderated by Linda Rowan, director of Government Affairs at the American Geological Institute. Speakers will discuss ways to enhance tracking and warnings, mitigate losses, improve building safety and prepare for hurricane emergencies. Below is a list of the speakers and their topics of discussion. There will be time for questions.
Asbury (Abby) Sallenger, Research Oceanographer, U.S. Geological Survey, Center for Coastal & Watershed Studies, St. Petersburg, Florida Coastal erosion caused by hurricanes: Reducing the loss of infrastructure and beach front property by knowing the risks.
Timothy A. Reinhold, Civil Engineer, Vice President of Engineering, Institute for Business and Home Safety, Tampa, Florida Protecting i
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Contact: Linda Rowan
rowan@agiweb.org
703-379-2480 x228
American Geological Institute
8-Jul-2005
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