This project responds to a national need to improve graphical communication of probabilistic hurricane forecasts, in a form that the general public and decision makers can understand.
Our main objectives are to develop a set of visual products that can help the public make better decisions to protect themselves from hurricanes and the implementation of design ideas generated from this project by the NHC and media, while continuing assessments for future improvement.
While mortality and morbidity from hurricanes in the U.S. has declined, their economic cost has been increasing. Further, the burden of preparation, evacuation, response, and recovery during these events is often experienced disproportionately by vulnerable populations.
We know that environmental risk is not allocated equally, especially for underserved populations who, because of limited resources for adequate preparation and recovery, often bear a disproportionate burden of these natural disasters.
Named for the Mayan and Taino god for whom the word hurricane is derived, this project draws from a number of fields—including meteorology, environmental anthropology, data visualization, human factors, and community engagement—to address a critical gap in visual hurricane forecast products: making them easily understood by the public, particularly in underserved communities. This interdisciplinary team from the University of Miami is focused on improving interpretations of hurricane forecast products among different user groups, in particular vulnerable populations in South Florida.
Presenting our research findings.
See our latest press releases.
Meet our team members.