Hurricane Ida: Resources for journalists

Hurricane Ida: Resources for journalists

Hurricane and disaster experts from the Columbia Earth Institute can answer media questions about hurricane physics, emergency response, recovery efforts, and the role of climate change in generating severe storms. Journalists can contact our scientists directly.

Disaster preparedness and response

Jackie Ratner, The senior project manager of the National Disaster Preparedness Center, studies how to protect communities from a variety of potential disasters, including floods, volcanic eruptions, and water shortages. Jjr2200@cumc.columbia.edu | 646-845-2300

Irving RedlineThe physician and founding director of the National Disaster Preparedness Center is a leading thinker in emergency planning and response, as well as dealing with the consequences of various disasters, including epidemics, hurricanes, earthquakes, and terrorism. ir2110@columbia.edu | 212-535-9797

Jeffrey Schlegmilch He is the director of the National Disaster Preparedness Center. He has extensive expertise in disaster policy and the development and implementation of disaster preparedness, response and recovery plans. js4645@columbia.edu |646-845-2318

Arthur Lerner-Rahm He is a research professor at the Lamont-Dougherty Earth Observatory. As a trained seismologist, he also studies the broader economic and social factors that contribute to vulnerability to disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. lerner@ldeo.columbia.edu | 845-365-8348

John’s mother, He began his career as a geophysicist, studying the long-term economic costs of disasters.He is the author of this book Disaster profiteering, The rich often benefit from disasters, while the poor suffer. He led a long-term effort to determine the number of casualties caused by Hurricane Katrina. jcm@ldeo.columbia.edu | 845-365-0716

Extreme weather: hurricane

Adam Sobel, Atmospheric Scientist at Lamont-Dougherty Earth Observatory, Head of Columbia University Extreme Weather and Climate Initiative. author Storm surge, A book about Hurricane Sandy, he assessed hurricanes and other extreme weather, including the causes of cold and heat, and related social issues. ahs129@columbia.edu | 212-854-6587

Susanna Camargue Professor of Ocean and Climate Physics at Lamont-Doherty. She is an expert on hurricanes and cyclones, their origin, intensity, and their relationship with climate (from seasonal to hundred-year time scales). suzana@ldeo.columbia.edu | 845-365-8640

Richard SeagLamont-Doherty climate scientists study the large-scale cycles that affect weather such as El Niño, including floods, hurricanes, snowstorms, and droughts. He is the author of a widely cited study on the link between climate and the Syrian civil war. seager@ldeo.columbia.edu | 845-365-8743

Klaus JacobLamont-Doherty’s special research scientist is an expert in the aftermath of coastal storms. As a New York City climate adaptation consultant, he accurately predicted the flooding of the subway during Hurricane Sandy. He is a trained seismologist and has worked on earthquake disasters all over the world. jacob@ldeo.columbia.edu | 845-365-8440

Radley HortonClimate scientists at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory have done extensive interdisciplinary work on storm physics, storm-climate interactions, and socio-economic risk factors, especially in coastal areas. He has advised the Mayor of New York City and the President of the United States on climate and weather risks. hortonr@ldeo.columbia.edu | 845-365-8496

Kyle Mandley Study the physics of destructive waves, including tsunamis, mudslides, and especially storm surges associated with hurricanes. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics at Columbia University. kyle.mandli@columbia.edu | 212-854-4485

Timothy HallHe is a senior research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Research, assessing the physical characteristics of cyclones and hurricanes, their landings, and their threats to coastal communities, especially in the northeastern United States. timothy.m.hall@nasa.gov | 212-678-5652

Energy/power outage

Melissa LottSenior research scholar, research director of the Global Energy Policy Center, power sector and energy system expert. m.lott@columbia.edu

Vijay Modi, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Earth and Environmental Engineering, works closely with cities and state agencies/utilities to understand how energy services become more accessible, more efficient and cleaner. modi@columbia.edu

flood

Kay Cohenhuber, A postdoctoral researcher at the Earth Institute, studies the physics behind extreme weather, including continuous heavy rain that can cause widespread flooding. kk3397@columbia.edu

Andrew Krukiewicz An employee of IRI, specializing in satellite imagery of floods and other disasters, and subsequent rescue organizations; he worked for the International Red Cross. andrewk@@iri.columbia.edu

Upmanu LalDirector of the Columbia Water Center, leading research on the natural and human factors that cause inland flooding and how to mitigate these factors. ula2@columbia.edu | 212-854-8905