NC State University News ServicesCampus Box 7504Raleigh, NC 27695-7504919/515-3470[email protected]www.ncsu.edu/news
Media Contact:Tim Lucas, News Services, 919/515-3470 or [email protected]
Sept. 10, 2001
NC State University Experts Prepared for Hurricane Season
The peak season for Atlantic hurricanes is just around the corner. The following are North Carolina State University experts who can provide timely expertise for reporters' hurricane-related coverage.
Physics of Hurricanes
NC State meteorologist and State Climatologist Dr. Sethu Raman has studied hurricanes for 20 years, and can discuss the structure of hurricanes, the paths they take and their interaction with the environment. Raman has compiled a history of tropical storms that affected North Carolina, their tracks and rainfall distribution. The N.C. State Climate Office assists the state Emergency Management Division during hurricane mitigation operations. Raman can be reached at (919) 515-1440 or 515-3056.
Storm Surge Prediction and Hurricane Risk Analysis
Dr. Lian Xie, NC State marine meteorologist, and Dr. Leonard Pietrafesa, an NC State coastal oceanographer, have devised a storm surge/wave computer model that forecasts the height of storm surges, areas of inundation, and the extent of the waves that form on top of the surge. Xie and Pietrafesa are also conducting a hurricane risk analysis project to predict the intensity change of hurricanes making landfall along the coast of North Carolina, and are researching ways to accurately predict the extent of inland flooding based on rainfall predictions. Xie is a member of the U.S. Weather Research Program Prospectus Development Team on Hurricanes. He can be reached at (919) 515-1435; Pietrafesa is at (919) 515-7777.
Coastal Damage
North Carolina Sea Grant's Spencer Rogers is an expert in hurricane-resistant coastal building techniques and erosion control. Rogers is stationed in Wilmington, and is currently researching ways to retrofit homes for hurricane resistance. He can be reached at (910) 962-2490.
Minimizing Structural Damage
Wood scientist Dr. Bo Kasal can discuss hurricane- resistant building techniques and the use of building standards to minimize wind damage to coastal homes. Call him at (919) 515-5726.
Forecasting Storm Risk
Civil engineer Dr. John Fisher has devised a computer-mapping system to identify coastal areas most at risk from hurricanes and to help emergency management personnel plan storm relief. He is at (919)515-7627.
Evacuation Planning
Civil engineer Dr. John Stone can discuss the logistical issues and difficulties in evacuating people from coastal areas, and the challenges of bringing in relief supplies after a hurricane. He can be reached at (919)515-7732.
Agricultural Effects
Crop scientist Dr. Jim Dunphy can discuss the effects of heavy rainfall and prolonged flooding on crops. He can be reached at (919) 515-5813.
Water quality
Drs. Kenneth Reckow and Deanna Osmond are experts in water quality. Osmond can discuss the effects of a hurricane on pollution from farms and on urban runoff. Her number is (919) 515-7303. Reckhow can explain how nitrogen runoff from flooded agricultural and urban areas impacts algal growth, dissolved oxygen, fish and shellfish in the estuaries and sounds of North Carolina. Reckhow can be reached at (919) 515-2815.
Wildlife
Dr. Phillip Doerr has studied wildlife in forested ecosystems in North Carolina for nearly 30 years. He can explain the effects of hurricanes on wildlife that live near the coast, along rivers and in the Piedmont region. He can be reached at (919)515-2065.
For assistance contacting a researcher or for help finding a hurricane expert in an area not listed, call Tim Lucas at NC State News Services, (919) 515-3470.
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