Tornado/severe weather experts
April 11, 2013
Preparing for severe weather, disaster recovery
Daniel Aldrich, associate professor of political science, disaster recovery expert
Aldrich can talk how about technology is used and how emergency warnings and alerts are received, as well as warning fatigue. He can also discuss the role neighbors and community relationships play both during disasters and the recovery period. His research shows that people who have stronger individual friendships, community connections and civic involvement are more likely to have access to resources and information during and after a disaster. Aldrich is author of the book "Building Resilience: Social Capital in Post-Disaster Recovery," and he has studied evacuation, disaster recovery and community rebuilding following Hurricane Katrina, the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Tamil Nadu, the 1923 earthquake in Tokyo and the 1995 earthquake in Kobe, Japan.
CONTACT: Daniel Aldrich is on fellowship in Tokyo and is available by email, phone and Skype. The best way to reach him is daniel.aldrich@gmail.com
Purdue Extension in disaster planning and response
Steve Cain, Purdue Extension disaster specialist
Cain, Purdue Extension disaster education specialist and homeland security project director for the national Extension Disaster Education Network, can talk about how communities should prepare for disaster and how they can respond to them more efficiently and effectively. In his work with Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Cain coordinated the efforts of thousands of short-term response volunteers following the deadly tornadoes that struck Henryville and other communities in southern Indiana in March 2012. He continues to be involved in the area's long-term recovery efforts.
CONTACT: 765-494-8410, cain@purdue.edu
National Extension Disaster Education Network
Tornado formation and the influence of climate change
Jeff Trapp, professor of earth, atmospheric and planetary sciences, tornado and severe weather expert
Trapp can talk about tornadoes, tornado prediction and warnings, and the potential impact of climate change on the frequency of severe thunderstorms. Trapp was a principal investigator for the largest tornado and storm field study in history, the second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment, or VORTEX 2. The National Science Foundation and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-funded project examined what causes a tornado, why one becomes stronger than another, what characteristics of a tornado cause damage, and ways to improve tornado prediction and warnings. Trapp also studies the influence of global warming on the incidence of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. He found that by the end of this century the number of days that favor severe storms could more than double in some locations of the United States. Trapp leads the Severe Weather Research Lab at Purdue.
CONTACT: Jeff Trapp, 765-496-6661, jtrapp@purdue.edu
Purdue Severe Weather Research Group
Research forecasts increased chances for stormy weather
Purdue swept up in largest tornado field study in history
Note to Journalists: The following Purdue University experts can discuss severe-weather topics that include preparing for severe weather and disaster recovery; disaster planning and response; and tornado formation and the influence of climate change. Any journalists' questions can be directed to Purdue News Service at 765-494-2096.
