2012 hurricane season: Clemson University experts

Published: May 29, 2012

CLEMSON, S.C. — Forecasters predict there will be four to eight hurricanes and up to 15 named tropical storms this season. Clemson University experts can help you in your coverage of the hurricane and tropical storm season. For more help, contact Media Relations at 864-656-2061 or cunewsroom@clemson.edu.

Wind damage and structural engineering
Clemson University's Wind and Structural Engineering Research (WiSER) Facility is one of the nation's top laboratories for the study of wind effects on structures. Its research uses wind-tunnel data as well as wind towers deployed to hurricane watch areas in the Carolinas and Florida to develop measurements of wind loads on houses and other structures. Civil engineering professor Scott Schiff, director of the WiSER Facility, is active in the public policy arena. He warns, "We must learn to manage risks by reducing the vulnerability of structures and improving the performance of homes, shelters, hospitals and critical facilities." For information on the effects of wind and how building codes and structures have adapted to our increased understand of it, contact Schiff at 864-656-0456 or schiffs@clemson.edu or Media Relations at 864-656-2061 or cunewsroom@clemson.edu.

Lessons learned from previous hurricanes
Are the communities along the Eastern Seaboard better suited to withstand a monster hurricane or were lessons learned during previous hurricanes forgotten? Planning and landscape architecture associate professor Grant Cunningham studies coastal development, resource policy and community development. Contact Cunningham at 864-882-9077 or cunninm@clemson.edu or contact Media Relations at 864-656-2061 or cunewsroom@clemson.edu.

Food safety
Advance preparation is a key to food safety during a hurricane and the floods that can accompany it. Those living in hurricane areas should keep adequate supplies on hand because power likely will be disrupted, putting food in danger. Clemson University's Home & Garden Information Center has fact sheets with useful information to help people prepare to keep their food safe in event of a hurricane. The information is online in English and Spanish versions. For more information, contact food safety specialist Pam Schmutz at 1-888-656-9988 or pschmut@clemson.edu. 

Animal care and recovery
Humans aren't the only ones in need of shelter and emergency services when hurricanes hit. Cats and dogs, along with farm livestock, require care and recovery actions. Planning, tracking and responding to animal issues, ranging from shelter to carcass cleanup, is Charlotte Krugler's job. She is the veterinarian at the Clemson Livestock and Poultry Health unit in Columbia, S.C., where she oversees the state response to natural disasters. Krugler leads efforts to find kennels and temporary housing sites so people have a place to leave their pets in safe places. She can provide information about animal care during hurricanes. Contact Krugler at 803-788-2260, ext. 286, 843-709-2472 or ckrugle@clemson.edu, or contact Peter Kent in Public Service Media Relations at 864-557-3491 pkent@clemson.edu, for assistance.

Clean water
Clemson University environmental toxicologist John Rodgers is an expert on wetlands and toxic effluent in waterways. He has constructed a number of artificial wetlands for industries that need to clean up polluted water, including a Shell Oil refinery just west of New Orleans. Rodgers has met with the EPA and other federal officials to discuss the problems of toxic chemicals in floodwaters. The Savannah River Site has one of Rodgers' largest artificial wetlands and shows how to build new wetlands to protect coastlines and reclaim polluted waterways. Contact Rodgers (864-656-0492, 864-646-2960 or 864-650-0210) at jrodger@clemson.edu or contact Peter Kent in Public Service Media Relations at 864-557-3491 or pkent@clemson.edu for assistance.

Saltwater intrusion in coastal wetland forests
Coastal wetland forests can stand up to hurricane-strength winds, but storm surges can drown them in saltwater. Clemson University researchers are looking at data to learn about the effects of excess saltwater on coastal ecosystems. For more information, contact forestry scientist William Conner at 843-546-6323, wconner@clemson.edu, or contact Peter Kent in Public Service Media Relations at 864-557-3491, pkent@clemson.edu, for assistance.

Agricultural chemicals in stormwater
High winds and floods don't just disrupt agricultural operations during the storm; severe weather can cause both dollar loss and environmental pollution from agricultural chemicals. Fertilizers, pesticides, solvents, fuels and other agricultural chemicals can be lost, contaminating the surrounding environment and environments downstream of storage and use areas. For more information, contact Bob Bellinger, extension pesticide coordinator, at 864-656-5042, bbllngr@clemson.edu, or contact Peter Kent in Public Service Media Relations at 864-557-3491, pkent@clemson.edu, for assistance.

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