Weather Heroes

In 1983 , the DynaTAC 8000X cellular telephone , affectionately known as “the brick,” entered the market. Those of us of a certain age, certainly remember it! Since then, cell phones have seamlessly woven themselves into our daily lives. These pocket-sized devices grant us access to seemingly endless information and provide countless ways to communicate with family, friends, and the world at large...

Welcome to Weather Heroes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) since 1980, the U.S. has sustained over two and a half trillion dollars in weather related damage.  The cost of weather disasters can have a significant impact on the economy, environment, and people’s lives.  Weather Heroes explores the world of planning for and responding to disasters. We visit wit...

After Hurricane Andrew made landfall in 1992, plywood prices rose 45% and prices for Southern pine framing lumber increased 17%. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the wood products markets reacted strongly. Panic buying of lumber and structural panels went on for weeks. Lumber and plywood costs increased an average of 30% the four weeks after landfall, however decreased to normal over the...