NASA Disasters are requesting regular observations during the peak hurricane season when hurricane awareness is higher. They ask that NO observations be made during a hurricane or in dangerous conditions, rather periodic observations from August through October. Documentation of no change is also helpful. For the GLOBE data to be impactful, regular (weekly or monthly) observations of a particular location are needed over a wide geographic area.
There are many rich datasets already out there — hwy traffic camers, Ring security cameras, CCTV, … What else?
Formal reviews after disasters have repeatedly faulted local authorities for not being prepared to send targeted IPAWS alerts — which can broadcast to cellphones, weather radios, and radio and TV stations — or sending them too late or with inadequate guidance
The signatories outlined six major objections: the continuing reduction of FEMA’s mission capacity, the lack of a legally qualified Administrator, the elimination of mitigation programs, interference with preparedness efforts, censorship of climate science, and the erosion of FEMA’s workforce—all of which risk repeating the mistakes made during Hurricane Katrina’s disaster response.
I haven’t argued the need for an advanced scale. I would include a measures such as a. diameter of the wind field, b. amount of total moisture with in the wind field, c. expected increase (/decrease) in next 12hrs
Urban Institute releases data to help states prep for natural disasters
A newspaper warns of the oncoming disaster as Hurricane Katrina strikes Mobile, Alabama, with a 15-foot storm surge and winds of over 110 mph. Warren Faidley via Getty Images
Increasing heatwaves, hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters across the U.S. in recent years point to a growing need for policymakers to take action to fortify their communities against the devastating impacts of climate change. A new report underscores the value of data as a tool to inform how policy and investments could help prepare states and localities for climate events.
The findings, released by the Urban Institute, come 20 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005, destroying more than 800,000 homes and killing more than 1,800 people after the storm touched down in Louisiana and impacted parts of Alabama and Mississippi.
Researchers have analyzed data from 2005 to 2024 that could help equip policymakers with information for better decision-making when it comes to disaster preparedness, said Sara McTarnaghan, principal research associate at the Urban Institute.
The data also comes in the wake of federal government efforts to remove certain data from its websites and other resources since early 2025, limiting accessibility to key insights that could otherwise inform policymakers’ efforts to address concerns like climate change and its impact on their communities, experts say.
From Brassville to... (working title) 