Due to the frequent occurrence - and considerable damage - caused by hurricanes, GRI is actively involved in studying these storms. Every hurricane that effects the U.S demonstrates the great need for more research in this area. From the great Galveston Hurricane (1900), the Great Miami Hurricane (1926), Hurricane Camille (1969), Hurricane Andrew (1992), Hurricane Ivan (2004), to the most recent Hurricane Katrina (2005), all show great destructive power which take a toll on infrastructure and human lives. GRI's research includes three components: publications, forecasting services for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and basic research.

Basic Research

Hurricane Ivan's (2004) wrath was felt through the Caribbean, Mexico, and three coastal states of the U.S., and even into the North and Southeastern states as the storm progressed over land. Watch a slide show that provides excellent images of Ivan's destruction and includes "before and after" comparisons.

GRI is active in several hurricane projects:

• A hurricane model simulation which couples a wave model and atmospheric model.
• A new wave growth algorithm valid for hurricane speed regimes.
• The analysis of the hurricane boundary using Japanese buoy data, U. S. buoy data, and Australia atoll data.
• The development of a hurricane storm surge atlas using the Army Corps of Engineer's ADCIRC model. This research also includes the replacement of USGS land elevation data with airborne-derived land elevation data (based on Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar technology).

Forecasting Services for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

During each hurricane season, Dr. Pat Fitzpatrick, performs external service as a forecaster to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). Typically, as a storm forms in, or enters, the Gulf of Mexico, GRI will provide forecast guidance on the storms track and intensity, and perform a "second opinion" to the National Hurricane Center guidance. During actual threats to Mississippi, Fitzpatrick will travel to Jackson, MS, to assist with the Emergency Operation Center. These duties include discussions with MEMA personnel, presentations to all emergency managers, and participation in FEMA conference calls. This collaboration has been fruitful. For example, in 1998, when Hurricane Georges was forecast to make landfall in Louisiana, Fitzpatrick discovered that the National Weather Service computer guidance did not include key satellite wind data that would steer the storm to Mississippi instead. He promptly notified MEMA that the storm actually appeared to be heading towards the Mississippi coast. Ever since then, MEMA always consults with GRI during hurricane threats.

General Information on Hurricanes

Dr. Pat Fitzpatrick has just authored his 2nd book about Hurricanes. The draft of Hurricanes: A Reference Handbook, Second Edition has been sent to the publisher (ABC-CLIO). After some edits and formatting, the book should be published in Spring 2005 or early Summer 2005. The book is a reference book, and as such the publisher's primary customer is libraries. However, it has something for everybody, and is suitable for students and the general public as well as specifically for emergency preparedness officials, public officials, and meteorologists.

The book's cover can be seen at: www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=109747

Dr. Fitzpatrick published his first book on hurricanes titled Natural Disasters: Hurricanes in 1999. The first book may be ordered at: www.abc-clio.com/products/overview.aspx?productid=109194

Dr. Fitzpatrick's first reference book, Natural Disasters: Hurricanes, contains 7 chapters on hurricanes, including: an introductory chapter; a chronology of historic events and achievements in hurricane science; biographies of influential hurricane researchers; a description of important organizations (i.e., the National Hurricane Center, the National Weather Service, the American Red Cross, etc); tables, letters, government documents, mitigation issues; a comprehensive list and description of hurricane publications; electronic sources for hurricane information; and a glossary. A second version of the book is currently nearing completion, and will include updated material and a new chapter on hurricanes throughout the world.

An excerpt from Fitzpatrick's book is provided as a reference on general hurricane infomation:

• Introduction to hurricanes.
• How a hurricane forms.
• Naming hurricanes.
• Hurricane structure.
• References.