TEXAS TECH WERC TEAM EMBRACES HURRICANE BONNIE
While Hurricane Bonnie has the potential for causing great destruction, the hurricane also brings a wealth of knowledge to scientists. In an effort to gather this information, a research team from the Wind Engineering Research Center (WERC) at Texas Tech University intends to place itself directly in the path of the hurricane.
Historically, documentation of the nature of severe winds has been incomplete. The aim of the Texas Tech experiment is to measure wind speeds, barometric pressure, wind direction and temperature data as Bonnie reaches landfall. Using a 35-foot mobile tower, called the Wind Engineering Mobile Instrumented Tower Experiment (WEMITE), the instrument will be located in the direct path of severe wind events caused by the hurricane. The data will allow researchers to better understand how hurricane-force winds affect buildings and structures. In addition, WEMITE will provide researchers with an opportunity to obtain valuable data without waiting for an event to occur in a specific location.
The tower's power supply and data acquisition system are steel-encased for protection from wind-borne debris. In addition, the tower can be operated on its own power for up to three days.
The team is expected to arrive this afternoon (Aug. 25). The team is tracking the storm and will move into position once it is known exactly where Bonnie is expected to make landfall.
The team can be contacted by mobile phone at the following numbers:
John Scroeder, research associate/team leader, (806) 790-1946 Jamie Snelson, research assistant, (806) 787-8331 Tony Rodriquez, research assistant, (806) 787-8331
For more information, or for help in contacting the research team, contact Eric Wesley, media specialist, (806) 742-2136 [email protected].
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