This center will organize leading universities, researchers, emergency managers, and private and public entities to better address severe storm impacts in the Gulf Coast area. The impact zone stretches from Texas to Louisiana and includes major cities such as New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Houston, and Brownsville. The Center will address:

(1) severe storm and hurricane research and storm surge prediction, (2) radar-based rainfall and flood warning systems for urban and coastal areas, (3) state-of-the-art educational programs for workforce training and public awareness, (4) infrastructure risks assessment, and (5) evacuation plans linked to the best warning and transportation systems, and societal needs.

» Hurricane Ike: Lessons Learned and Steps for the Future

Funded by the Houston Endowment, this major research project will address the problems that are caused by the impacts of Hurricane Ike in the Houston-Galveston Area, and will develop recommendations that can assist in the protection of human lives and property in the most susceptible areas of the region, ultimately guiding us to a sustainable, long-term future. Read More.  ►Read More...

» TACC: Texas Advanced Computing Center

During Ike, researchers developed news-breaking hurricane forecasting, storm surge prediction, and evacuation coordination via TACC’s Ranger supercomputer.  ►Read More...

» The Ike Dike: The Proposal to Prevent Severe Storm Destruction on the Texas Gulf Coast

A proposal to determine the feasibility of a comprehensive levee system to protect the Texas Gulf Coast from severe storm surges.  ►Read More...

» Coastal Communities Planning Atlas for Decision Makers and Local Residents: Phase II

The development of an educational tool for use in future decisions of urban planning along the Texas Gulf Coast. ►Read More...

Hurricane Ike: Revisited –A one-day conference to be held on September 14, 2009 at Rice University to mark the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike disaster. The meeting will be open to the public with discussions and information transfer on the recovery and renewal efforts for the Houston area and will include attendance from key personnel such as Harris County Judge, Houston Mayor, and State Representatives who played major roles before, during, and after the disaster. 

Date: December 11, 2008

Hurricane Ike: Lessons Learned. Presentations delve into the execution of preparation during Ike, the innovative technology used to analyze the storms, and the improvements to be made for future severe storms. ►Read More...

Date: October 27, 2008

Training for the 2008 SSPEED Conference: Severe Storm Prediction and Global Climate Impact on the Gulf Coast.
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»Storm Prognosticator: Knowledge is Power

» Responding with SSPEED

» Rice will host conference on storm prediction and planning, climate