HURRICANE CENTER

National Tropical Weather Conference
  • 4.5 (17)
  • Nature
  • Updated Biweekly

HURRICANE CENTER: The people, science and decisions that protect communities before, during and after the storm.

  1. 14h ago

    S8: Ep: 149 Stronger Homes, Safer Families: Building Hurricane Resilience Before the Storm

    Hurricane preparedness usually focuses on forecasts, evacuation routes, emergency supplies, and the approaching storm. But another critical part of the equation is already standing around us: the homes and buildings where people live. In this episode of the HurricaneCenter Podcast, Alex Garcia talks with Leslie Chapman-Henderson, president and CEO of the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, or FLASH. Leslie explains why stronger homes, modern building codes, and practical retrofits can dramatically change what happens when a hurricane reaches a community. The discussion examines the lessons learned from decades of major disasters, the vulnerabilities found in both older and newer homes, and the improvements that can help prevent a weather emergency from becoming a long-term family catastrophe. The conversation also explores why hurricane resilience is not simply a coastal issue. Wind, flooding, tornadoes, falling trees, power outages, and displaced families can affect communities far beyond the point where a storm makes landfall. Among the topics discussed: Why the home itself should be considered part of every hurricane planHow stronger building codes improve community resilienceWhy adopting a building code is not enough without enforcementThe risks hidden inside older housing stockPractical improvements homeowners can make before hurricane seasonThe importance of roofs, garage doors, windows, and structural connectionsWhy families should understand both wind and flood riskHow mitigation can reduce damage, displacement, and recovery timeThe challenge of making resilience improvements affordableWhat decades of hurricane research have taught the building industryWhy communities repeatedly rebuild the same vulnerabilitiesThe role of insurance, incentives, grants, and public policyHow individual homeowners can begin assessing their risk todayLeslie’s message is straightforward: we cannot prevent hurricanes, but we can make informed choices about how well our homes and communities withstand them. Preparedness does not begin when a hurricane warning is issued. It begins months or even years earlier—with better information, stronger construction, responsible maintenance, and a plan to address the weakest parts of the home. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  2. Aug 26

    S8: Ep: 148 Entering the Peak: Dr. Phil Klotzbach on What the Atlantic Could Do Next

    The Atlantic hurricane season is entering the period when tropical activity has historically increased sharply—but what does that mean for the weeks ahead? Dr. Phil Klotzbach of Colorado State University joins HurricaneCenter for an in-depth discussion about the state of the Atlantic basin, the science behind seasonal hurricane forecasts and the environmental factors that can either support or suppress tropical development. The conversation explores what accumulated cyclone energy tells researchers, why total storm numbers do not determine the impact of a season and why landfall risk remains difficult to predict months in advance. Dr. Klotzbach also discusses how forecasters evaluate ocean temperatures, vertical wind shear, atmospheric moisture and large-scale climate patterns as the season progresses. Most importantly, the episode explains why coastal residents should focus less on a single forecast number and more on maintaining a practical hurricane plan throughout the season. 00:00 — Entering the heart of hurricane season Why late August and September command so much attention. 03:30 — How seasonal forecasts are created The climate and ocean signals used to estimate basin-wide activity. 08:00 — What the forecast numbers really mean Why named-storm and hurricane totals are only part of the story. 12:30 — Accumulated cyclone energy explained How ACE measures the combined strength and duration of tropical systems. 17:00 — Warm water is not the entire equation The importance of wind shear, atmospheric moisture and stability. 22:00 — Why hurricane landfalls remain difficult to predict The difference between forecasting activity and forecasting impact. 27:00 — What could change during the remainder of the season The atmospheric patterns researchers continue to monitor. 32:00 — Gulf of Mexico and rapid intensification concerns Why storms close to land can create compressed preparation timelines. 36:30 — The most important preparedness message Why residents should not judge their risk by how busy or quiet the basin appears. 40:30 — Final thoughts Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  3. Aug 19

    S8: Episode 147: He Warned People About the Surge—Then It Surrounded Him

    Meteorologists spend their careers explaining what hurricanes can do. Scott Withers experienced that danger firsthand. While reporting from the Fort Myers area as Hurricane Ian made landfall on September 28, 2022, Scott and his photographer were overtaken by catastrophic storm surge. Water surrounded their vehicle, escape routes disappeared and the team found itself facing the very threat Scott had warned viewers about for days. Scott joins Alex Garcia on HurricaneCenter to tell the story behind his book, Ian’s Surge—a minute-by-minute account of the forecast, the reporting assignment and the fight to survive one of the most destructive hurricanes in Florida history. The conversation explores: How Scott entered meteorology and field reportingWhy journalists deploy into hurricanesWhat the forecast showed before Ian’s landfallHow quickly conditions deterioratedThe moment Scott realized the team was in serious troubleEscaping a vehicle surrounded by storm surgeThe strangers who risked their own safety to helpWhat it was like to remain exposed during the hurricaneThe physical and emotional aftermathWhy Scott waited before telling the complete storyHow he reconstructed the timeline for Ian’s SurgeWhat meteorologists misunderstand about public risk perceptionWhy “storm surge” can remain too abstract for many viewersHow Hurricane Ian changed Scott’s approach to warningsThe lesson he wants coastal residents and journalists to rememberHurricane Ian struck Florida’s southwest coast with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour and produced catastrophic storm surge in communities including Fort Myers Beach. Scott describes Ian’s Surge not simply as a weather book, but as a survival story about what happens when scientific knowledge collides with the reality of a disaster. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  4. Aug 12

    S8: Episode: 146 - When Rain Becomes a Flood - Jeff Lindner

    Harris County meteorologist Jeff Lindner explains why predicting rainfall is only part of the challenge—and how new forecasting tools, hydrology and lessons from historic floods are changing the way we understand risk. Jeff Lindner joins Hurricane Center Live for a wide-ranging conversation about tropical weather, extreme rainfall and the rapidly changing science of flood forecasting. Lindner is a meteorologist with the Harris County Flood Control District, where rainfall forecasts have to become something much more operational: How much water will fall? Where will it go? How quickly will rivers, bayous and streets respond—and when does that become dangerous? The Flood Control District continues to identify Lindner as one of its meteorologists and has long used his expertise in flood operations and public warning.  One of the most interesting parts of the discussion looks at the limits of traditional weather modeling and the next generation of higher-resolution and machine-learning guidance. Jeff talks about the challenge of turning increasingly sophisticated rainfall forecasts into useful hydrologic information—especially when small differences in where the heaviest rain falls can produce dramatically different outcomes. The conversation also reaches beyond hurricanes. Lindner discusses his recent field work examining historic flash floods in Colorado and an intriguing comparison between the catastrophic 1976 flood and a much larger rainfall event decades later. The lesson: rainfall totals alone don't necessarily determine the size of a flood. Duration, terrain, soil conditions, watershed response and changes to the landscape all matter. It is a reminder that forecasting the storm is only the beginning. Understanding what the water does next may be just as important. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  5. Aug 5

    Episode 145: Andrew Femath USAA: Preparing for Extreme Weather

    USAA's Andrew Freeman joins HurricaneCenter Live to discuss hurricane preparedness, resilience, and how communities can better prepare before the next storm. Plus, a look at the current state of the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and why a quiet season isn't a reason to let your guard down. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  6. Jul 29

    Episode 144: BEYOND THE HURRICANE HUNTERS: The Future of Storm Observation

    Hurricane Hunter aircraft have transformed our understanding of tropical cyclones, but there are still parts of a hurricane that are too low, too turbulent and too dangerous for a crewed aircraft to explore. That is where a new generation of uncrewed aircraft systems is changing the science. In this episode of the HurricaneCenter Podcast, we speak with Dr. Joe Cione, lead meteorologist with NOAA’s Hurricane Research Division and a leader in the development and deployment of emerging hurricane-observation technology. Dr. Cione explains why the lowest portion of a hurricane—the boundary layer immediately above the ocean—is so important to understanding storm structure and intensity. It is the region where the hurricane interacts directly with the sea, transferring heat, moisture and momentum, yet it has historically been one of the most difficult areas for scientists to observe. The conversation explores how small aircraft launched from NOAA Hurricane Hunter planes can descend into the eye, eyewall and lower levels of a tropical cyclone while transmitting measurements back to researchers. We also discuss: Why hurricane intensity remains more difficult to forecast than trackWhat scientists still need to learn about rapid intensificationWhy the interaction between the ocean and atmosphere mattersHow uncrewed systems complement aircraft, satellites, dropsondes and ocean platformsThe engineering challenges of operating inside hurricane-force windsHow observations are eventually incorporated into forecast modelsThe importance of collaboration among government, academia and private industryWhat the next generation of hurricane reconnaissance may look likeHow better observations can ultimately support earlier and more confident emergency decisionsDr. Cione has spent decades investigating the hurricane environment and developing ways to collect measurements from locations that were once inaccessible. His work has included the Coyote, Altius-600 and Black Swift uncrewed aircraft systems. A NOAA team that deployed an Altius aircraft into Hurricane Ian’s eyewall received the Department of Commerce Gold Medal for scientific and engineering achievement. Later Black Swift missions demonstrated extended flight time, communication range and the ability to operate within extreme hurricane conditions. This episode offers a rare look at the technology, science and human persistence behind the effort to better understand one of the atmosphere’s most powerful phenomena. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  7. Jul 22

    S8:143 Rebuilding Together: Florida Recovery & Resilience After the Storm

    When a hurricane strikes, the first images are often wind, rain, storm surge and damage. But for many families, the hardest part begins after the cameras move on: finding help, repairing unsafe homes, navigating recovery programs and trying to rebuild a sense of normalcy. On this episode of the HurricaneCenter Podcast, Jose Garcia of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida joins the conversation to discuss the recovery side of hurricane preparedness. The discussion focuses on what happens after disaster strikes, why safe housing is central to recovery, and how community partnerships can help homeowners - especially vulnerable families - move from damage toward resilience. Jose shares perspective on the real-world challenges families face after storms: roof damage, water intrusion, unsafe living conditions, financial barriers, contractor concerns and the emotional toll of a long recovery. The episode also looks at how preparedness, mitigation and rebuilding stronger can reduce risk before the next hurricane season. The bigger message: hurricane preparedness is not just about tracking the cone. It is about what families, neighborhoods, nonprofits, local governments and partners do before and after the storm to protect people and restore homes. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

  8. Jul 15

    S8:142 - Bryan Norcross on Hurricane Communication Without the Hype

    When a hurricane threatens, the forecast is only part of the job. The bigger challenge is helping people understand what the storm means for them - without exaggeration, confusion or panic. In this episode of HurricaneCenter, meteorologist Bryan Norcross joins the program for a conversation about one of the hardest parts of hurricane season: communicating risk in a way that is urgent, accurate and trusted. The discussion centers on the balance between warning people early enough to act and avoiding language that makes every storm sound like the worst-case scenario. For broadcasters, forecasters, emergency managers and public information officers, that balance matters. If the message is too soft, people may not prepare. If it is too loud too often, people may tune it out. Support the show Suggest a topic or ask a question: alex@wxguide.com Visit our conference site: www.hurricanecenterlive.com Thanks for listening and please share with your friends and co-workers.

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4.5
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About

HURRICANE CENTER: The people, science and decisions that protect communities before, during and after the storm.

Information

  • Creator
    National Tropical Weather Conference
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 @Storm Science Network Inc.
  • Show Website
    HURRICANE CENTER

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