Category Archives: Outreach

How to Prepare for a Hurricane

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While we are continuing to monitor severe storms of interest, there are things the community can do to prepare for possible impacts now and in the future.

Make a Plan

- If you haven’t already made a plan on what you will do if we are impacted now is the time to think this through.

Issues to consider:

- Will you need to evacuate? If so, where will you go?
- How will you communicate with your loved ones to let them know that you are okay?
- Do you need to accommodate anyone with special needs?
- What will you do with your pet?
- How are you going to protect important documents?
- Learn more about what to consider in your plan http://www.miamidade.gov/fire/family-plan.asp and for a plan template visit http://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

Build a Kit

If you haven’t already created a disaster kit then now is the time to put all the necessary supplies together. Below are some of the most important items that you may want to consider including:

- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for a minimum of three days
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First Aid kit
- Cash
- Fully charged cellphone

Additionally, you should top off the fuel tank in your vehicle.

Have any tips you would like to share? Leave them in the comments.

Matt Shpiner, MSCJ
Emergency Preparedness & Campus Safety Manager
Follow the Rosenstiel School on Twitter: @UMiamiRSMAS
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South Florida Remembers: 20 Years After Hurricane Andrew

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For many of you who are new to Miami, you may not know much about a hurricane named Andrew that hit South Florida 20 years ago this Friday, August 24th. For those that were here, this was the storm that changed everything for the entire community. And for weather geeks around the world, Hurricane Andrew would become a turning point for scientific need and innovation, which in many ways has been answered.

On August 24, 1992, South Florida was shaken to its core when Category 5 Hurricane Andrew made landfall at around 5:00am. Andrew was only the third Category 5 to ever make landfall in the US in the past 100 years behind the 1935 Hurricane in the Florida Keys and 1969 Hurricane Camille in Louisiana. Andrew just 5 days earlier was nothing more than a weak tropical storm. However, by Sunday August 23rd, evacuations and hasty preparations were being made for “The Big One” to hit South Florida. Andrew was a small hurricane with its strongest winds in the eyewall only extending a few miles. Due to this, downtown Miami was mostly spared. Had Andrew made landfall just 15 miles north, the damage costs would have been more than doubled!

However, the city of Homestead was not so fortunate. The storm and its aftermath left the city completely devastated. Residents were not prepared for what they saw when daylight exposed Mother Nature’s power. The National Guard, Red Cross, and Salvation Army were on the scene immediately, to hand out emergency supplies and provisions. The US Army would arrive 10 days later to help keep the peace as survival instincts took over societal norms. With such complete destruction it is a remarkable testament to local news, county emergency management, and the National Hurricane Center that only 65 total deaths occurred during Andrew and its aftermath. The total damage was estimated to be $26.5 billion (1992USD) including damage in the Bahamas and Louisiana.

Twenty years later the memories for the survivors are still clear as day. For the South Florida community, Hurricane Andrew is one storm that will never be forgotten.

Do you have any stories of Hurricane Andrew you would like to share? Leave them in the comments below.

*To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Andrew, the Miami Science Museum is hosting a day of remembrance on August 25, 2012 from 11am until 5pm. Come explore the museum and be treated to the day’s special activities. For more information, please visit http://www.miamisci.org

-Angela Colbert
Meteorology & Physical Oceanography
Graduate Student
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GetGlue and TOMS Help Support Shark Conservation During Shark Week

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To help promote Shark Week on the Discovery Channel, GetGlue is running a contest featuring an exclusive version of “The Shark Shoe” TOMS and the University of Miami’s R.J. Dunlap Marine Conservation Program recently launched to help support shark conservation worldwide. GetGlue’s official blog reads:

“Make sure to check-in on GetGlue everyday leading up the the premiere to collect all seven “Countdown” stickers. Unlock all seven and you’ll earn something even more jawsome. Tune in to the first night of Shark Week on August 12th at 9pm ET/PT only on Discovery. Be sure to check-in every night of shark week to earn fintastic stickers! If you check-in to Shark Week every night, you will be entered to win a jawmazing prize! 25 GetGlue users will be sporting EXCLUSIVE Tom’s Shark-themed shoes. You can’t get these anywhere else!”

“The Shark Shoes” featured, display the shark design on the outside of the shoe, opposed to inside like the current version available. Below is an image of the 25 exclusive pairs up for grabs.

Have you purchased your pair of Shark Shoes from TOMS? What do you think of this unique collaboration? Tell us in the comments.

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TOMS Shoes Presents: The Shark Shoe

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TOMS has teamed up with the University of Miami’s popular R.J. Dunlap (RJD) Marine Conservation Program to help preserve an awe-inspiring and highly threatened group of marine animals: sharks.

After experiencing an-eye-opening shark research trip, TOMS founder and chief shoe giver, Blake Mycoskie, was inspired by both the passion and cutting-edge research techniques used by RJD scientists to help track and save threatened sharks. That inspiration evolved into The Shark Shoe. These vegan, limited edition Classics are lined with lots of shark silhouettes, and proceeds from each pair go to protect sharks and their environment. Plus, as always, with every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One.ª

“We are excited to be partnering with TOMS,” said Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, University of Miami faculty member and director of the RJD Program. “Many shark populations have been decimated on a global scale due to destructive overfishing. As top predators, sharks play an important role in maintaining the health and balance of our oceans. This unique collaboration provides an unparalleled platform from which we can spread awareness of these important issues and engage mainstream audiences in a dialogue that supports marine conservation.”

This limited edition Shark Shoe is available for online purchase here – so grab a pair and wear it proudly!

Andrew DeChellis
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Miami Lighthouse for the Blind visits RSMAS

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RSMAS Professor, Dr. Will Drennan, talks hurricanes with the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind.

On Friday, July 13th, the Rosenstiel School was lucky enough to be visited by 25 students from the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind transition program and 5 of their mentors. The group was eager to learn about marine and atmospheric science research through sound and touch.

PhD student Erica Staaterman kicked off the day with an amazing presentation about ocean sounds. She played sound clips while explaining how animals communicate underwater and how we might be able to calculate the health of coral reefs by assessing the ambient clatter. Do you know what animal is making this noise? Click here to listen

Professor Will Drennan and his assistant, undergraduate student Katie Dziedzic, explained how hurricanes are studied on land, in the air, and by sea. The students listened to the sound of Category 4 forced winds tearing off the roof of a gas station, touched some of the equipment used on the EASI and ASIS buoys for collecting in situ hurricane data, and listened intently as Dr. Drennan told stories of flying in the hurricane hunter aircrafts.

Visiting the Aplysia facility.

The last stop on the tour was the Aplysia hatchery where the students got up close and personal with some fascinating marine animals. They touched coral skeletons and sea urchins tests, as well as live sea cucumbers, sea stars, conch, and of course aplysia!

“It was definitely a memorable experience for our students. Thank you for being so accommodating!” said Emily Nostro, Transition Program Coordinator at the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, at the end of this amazing day.

-Laura Bracken
Outreach Manager
Follow the Rosenstiel School on Twitter: @UMiamiRSMAS
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Beneath the Waves Film Festival Hits the Road for a U.S. Summer Tour

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Have you ever wondered how many people will read your scientific papers? Do you want a broader audience to hear about your research?

The Beneath the Waves Film Festival aims to create such a science communication platform by educating the public about marine science and conservation issues through a series of short films made by researchers, amateurs and professionals from around the world. While the Festival’s flagship event occurs each March in conjunction with the Benthic Ecology Meeting, this summer the Festival is going on tour across the US West Coast for a series of unique public film screenings. We’ve teamed up with PangeaSeed, a marine conservation group, to co-host a traveling art exhibit/film festival called the “Great West Coast Migration.” The tour starts in Seattle in July, and migrates south through Portland, San Francisco, LA, Costa Mesa, and San Diego. All events will be free to the public and will showcase great marine-themed artwork and conservation films. See below for a list of tour stops and links for times and more information.

The dates/locations of the events are:
• Seattle, WA – July 14 – Roq la Rue
• Portland, OR – July 21 – Grass Hut Co
• San Francisco, CA – July 28 – Spoke Art
• Los Angeles, CA – August 3 – LeBasse Projects
• Costa Mesa, CA – August 11 – The ARTery
• San Diego, CA – August 19 – Space 4 Art

The first video that will be shown on the tour can be viewed here:

If you are interested in becoming a host in your local community, or submitting a film for next year’s event please get in touch!

Erica Staaterman & Austin Gallagher
Co-Directors
Beneath the Waves Film Festival