New Video Series Gives an Inside Look Into Hurricane Research

Sebastian Alsina/Contributing Writer

As the summer season comes into full swing in Florida, so does the start of the 2020 hurricane season. While Floridians are no stranger to the full force of hurricane season, a new educational video series reminds people they need to prepare, even during a pandemic. 

In a 12-episode series, called the “Eye Of The Storm,” viewers get a behind-the-scenes look into the science behind hurricanes and their formation, and learn how to best limit the damage from their severity by preparing ahead of time.

“This video series is a great way to learn about how to prepare for all possible impacts before a hurricane makes landfall,” said Kevin Guthrie, deputy director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Normally, “The Eye of The Storm” would be an in-person event at Fort Lauderdale’s Museum of Discovery and Science, but it is now remote due to the pandemic. The event featured a presentation that helped lay the foundation for the video series by presenting the information in person.

The online series has already collected over 250 thousand views on the Museum of Discovery and Science site. 

In the series, viewers are taught all about hurricane preparedness including how to create a supply kit and how to keep everything from their pets to their boats safe.

Viewers also learn how to secure their homes properly with shutters, what to do in case of an evacuation order and the history of hurricane landfalls. 

One episode of the series, called “Wall of Wind,” covers wind engineering research at FIU’s Wall of Wind facility, allowing researchers to see what it would be like to fly into the eye or center of the hurricane. 

In the episode, FIU’s leading research facility, WOW, has the ability to simulate up to category 5 hurricane conditions, allowing them to collect data such as wind speeds and pressure forces. This helps researchers better prepare for future hurricanes.

The series was created in a large collaboration with the FIU International Hurricane Research Center, Broward County Emergency Management, the City of Fort Lauderdale Emergency Management and the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale The series also received sponsorship by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). 

Hurricane season officially began on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. Viewers can watch the series for free here at the Museum of Discovery and Science Youtube page.