http://www.chron.com/local/education/campus-chronicles/article/University-of-Houston-to-lead-new-hurricane-12425742.php
University of Houston to lead new hurricane research center
Concept originated after Harvey, Irma, Maria
Updated 10:10 am, Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Follow three families displaced by Hurricane Harvey and see how they cope.
Media: Jon Shapley, Houston ChronicleA new hurricane research center backed by Texas universities will examine flood mitigation, hurricane modeling and public policy so that officials can better anticipate and respond to Gulf Coast storms.
The University of Houston will lead the institute. Rice University is among the other Texas schools participating, and two institutions from Florida will also contribute.
BEFORE & AFTER: Satellite photos show extreme damage of Hurricane Harvey
Money funding the research will come from the institutions, cooperative agreements and external grants, according to a UH press release.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
For the second time since Tropical Storm Harvey hit landfall, a dog named Otis has found its way into the internet's heart.
For the second time since Tropical Storm Harvey hit landfall, a dog named Otis has found its way into the internet's heart.
Jan Allen with dogs, Daisy and Toby, and her son, Chris Allen, ride in a rescue boat to a pickup area along Edgebrook Sunday, August 27, 2017. Much of the area is flooded from rains after Hurricane Harvey.
Jan Allen with dogs, Daisy and Toby, and her son, Chris Allen, ride in a rescue boat to a pickup area along Edgebrook Sunday, August 27, 2017. Much of the area is flooded from rains after Hurricane Harvey.
Precinct 6 Deputy Constables Sgt. Paul Fernandez, from left, Sgt. Michael Tran and Sgt. Radha Patel rescue an elderly woman from rising water on North MacGregor Way, near Brays Bayou, after heavy rains from the remnants of Hurricane Harvey, Saturday, August 27, 2017, in Houston. ( Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle )
lessPrecinct 6 Deputy Constables Sgt. Paul Fernandez, from left, Sgt. Michael Tran and Sgt. Radha Patel rescue an elderly woman from rising water on North MacGregor Way, near Brays Bayou, after heavy rains from the
... moreTwo kayakers try to beat the current pushing them down an overflowing Brays Bayou along S. Braeswood in Houston, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017. Rescuers answered hundreds of calls for help Sunday as floodwaters from the remnants of Hurricane Harvey climbed high enough to begin filling second-story homes, and authorities urged stranded families to seek refuge on their rooftops. (Mark Mulligan/Houston Chronicle via AP)
lessTwo kayakers try to beat the current pushing them down an overflowing Brays Bayou along S. Braeswood in Houston, Texas, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017. Rescuers answered hundreds of calls for help Sunday as floodwaters
... moreJose Alarco shakes hands with his neighbor as he makes his way out of the Melrose Park neighborhood and his flooded home in Houston as Tropical Storm Harvey inches its way through the area on Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. ( Elizabeth Conley / Houston Chronicle )
lessJose Alarco shakes hands with his neighbor as he makes his way out of the Melrose Park neighborhood and his flooded home in Houston as Tropical Storm Harvey inches its way through the area on Monday, Aug. 28,
... moreShiann Barker holds her nephew, Brayln Matthews Sims Jr., 1, between cots at the George R. Brown Convention Center where nearly 10,000 people are taking shelter after Tropical Storm Harvey Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017 in Houston. They have ben at the shelter since Sunday after they evacuated from the Clayton Homes neighborhood. ( Michael Ciaglo / Houston Chronicle)
lessShiann Barker holds her nephew, Brayln Matthews Sims Jr., 1, between cots at the George R. Brown Convention Center where nearly 10,000 people are taking shelter after Tropical Storm Harvey Wednesday, Aug. 30,
... moreRescue boats work along Tidwell at the east Sam Houston Tollway helping to evacuate people Monday, August 28, 2017. Much of the area is flooded from rains after Hurricane Harvey.
Rescue boats work along Tidwell at the east Sam Houston Tollway helping to evacuate people Monday, August 28, 2017. Much of the area is flooded from rains after Hurricane Harvey.
TOPSHOT - People walk through flooded streets as the effects of Hurricane Harvey are seen August 26, 2017 in Galveston, Texas. Hurricane Harvey left a trail of devastation Saturday after the most powerful storm to hit the US mainland in over a decade slammed into Texas, destroying homes, severing power supplies and forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Brendan Smialowski has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [Hurricane Harvey] instead of [Hurricane Henry]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention from all your online services and delete it from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require. (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
lessTOPSHOT - People walk through flooded streets as the effects of Hurricane Harvey are seen August 26, 2017 in Galveston, Texas. Hurricane Harvey left a trail of devastation Saturday after the most powerful storm
... moreAngelina De Los Santos, 7, left, Vanessa Pasillas, 2, center, and Jade de los santos, 5, center right, watch videos with Rosemarie Pasillas, right, as people seek shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, TX on Monday, Aug 28, 2017. Rising water from Hurricane now Tropical Storm Harvey pushed thousands of people to rooftops or higher ground Sunday as the had to flee their homes in Houston.
lessAngelina De Los Santos, 7, left, Vanessa Pasillas, 2, center, and Jade de los santos, 5, center right, watch videos with Rosemarie Pasillas, right, as people seek shelter at the George R. Brown Convention
... moreA submerged vehicle is seen at the intersection of the Hardy Toll Road and the Sam Houston Tollway, as heavy rains continue from Tropical Storm Harvey, Tuesday August 29, 2017, in Houston. Sgt. Steve Perez, 60, reportedly drowned in his car at the intersection while on his way to work. He was a 30-year veteran of the HPD.
lessA submerged vehicle is seen at the intersection of the Hardy Toll Road and the Sam Houston Tollway, as heavy rains continue from Tropical Storm Harvey, Tuesday August 29, 2017, in Houston. Sgt. Steve Perez, 60,
... moreVolunteer rescuers evacuate people from the Georgetown Colony neighborhood on a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, which was used as a prop in the latest Planet of the Apes movie, as Addicks Reservoir surpasses capacity due to near constant rain from Tropical Storm Harvey Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017 in Houston.
lessVolunteer rescuers evacuate people from the Georgetown Colony neighborhood on a Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck, which was used as a prop in the latest Planet of the Apes movie, as Addicks Reservoir
... moreUniversity of Houston players assist with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts on Friday.
University of Houston players assist with Hurricane Harvey relief efforts on Friday.
A reader submitted this photo of his family's first big storm in Houston. Jeremy Blanton noted that the family lost a car but him, his wife and 2-year-old daughter are all safe.
A reader submitted this photo of his family's first big storm in Houston. Jeremy Blanton noted that the family lost a car but him, his wife and 2-year-old daughter are all safe.
Westpark Tollway is underwater following Tropical Storm Harvey north of Richmond, Texas.
Westpark Tollway is underwater following Tropical Storm Harvey north of Richmond, Texas.
People walk out of their flooded Meyerland streets, Sunday, August 27, 2017.
People walk out of their flooded Meyerland streets, Sunday, August 27, 2017.
Floodwaters fill the road running through the Lakes On Eldridge North subdivision in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Harvey on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston.
Floodwaters fill the road running through the Lakes On Eldridge North subdivision in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Harvey on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in Houston.
HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 27: A man helps children across a flooded street as they evacuate their home after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Harvey, which made landfall north of Corpus Christi late Friday evening, is expected to dump upwards to 40 inches of rain in Texas over the next couple of days. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
lessHOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 27: A man helps children across a flooded street as they evacuate their home after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Harvey,
... moreUNITED STATES, GULF COAST - AUGUST 25: In this NASA handout image, Hurricane Harvey is photographed aboard the International Space Station as it intensified on its way toward the Texas coast on August 25, 2017. The Expedition 52 crew on the station has been tracking this storm for the past two days and capturing Earth observation photographs and videos from their vantage point in low Earth orbit.Now at category 4 strength, Harvey's maximum sustained winds had increased to 130 miles per hour. (Photo by NASA via Getty Images)
lessUNITED STATES, GULF COAST - AUGUST 25: In this NASA handout image, Hurricane Harvey is photographed aboard the International Space Station as it intensified on its way toward the Texas coast on August 25, 2017.
... moreROCKPORT, TX - AUGUST 26: Terry Smith stands in the kitchen as Henry McKay sleeps in the apartment where the ceiling collapse when Hurricane Harvey hit on August 26, 2017 in Rockport, Texas. Ms. Smith said she has never been as terrified in her life as when the winds started roaring through town. Harvey made landfall shortly after 11 p.m. Friday, just north of Port Aransas as a Category 4 storm and is being reported as the strongest hurricane to hit the United States since Wilma in 2005. Forecasts call for as much as 30 inches of rain to fall in the next few days. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
lessROCKPORT, TX - AUGUST 26: Terry Smith stands in the kitchen as Henry McKay sleeps in the apartment where the ceiling collapse when Hurricane Harvey hit on August 26, 2017 in Rockport, Texas. Ms. Smith said she
... moreThe State of Texas Emergency Command Center at DPS headquarters in Austin, Texas monitors Hurricane Harvey Sunday afternoon August 27, 2017. Tropical Storm Harvey lashed central Texas with torrential rains on Sunday, unleashing "catastrophic" floods after the megastorm -- the most powerful to hit the United States since 2005 -- left a deadly trail of devastation along the Gulf Coast. / AFP PHOTO / SUZANNE CORDEIRO (Photo credit should read SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP/Getty Images)
lessThe State of Texas Emergency Command Center at DPS headquarters in Austin, Texas monitors Hurricane Harvey Sunday afternoon August 27, 2017. Tropical Storm Harvey lashed central Texas with torrential rains on
... moreHOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 28: Barb Davis, 74. is helped to dry land after being rescued from her flooded neighborhood after it was inundated with rain water, remnants of Hurricane Harvey, on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Harvey, which made landfall north of Corpus Christi late Friday evening, is expected to dump upwards to 40 inches of rain in areas of Texas over the next couple of days. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
lessHOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 28: Barb Davis, 74. is helped to dry land after being rescued from her flooded neighborhood after it was inundated with rain water, remnants of Hurricane Harvey, on August 28, 2017 in
... moreHOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 28: People are rescued from a flooded neighborhood after it was inundated with rain water, remnants of Hurricane Harvey, on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Harvey, which made landfall north of Corpus Christi late Friday evening, is expected to dump upwards to 40 inches of rain in areas of Texas over the next couple of days. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
lessHOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 28: People are rescued from a flooded neighborhood after it was inundated with rain water, remnants of Hurricane Harvey, on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Harvey, which made landfall
... moreHOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 27: Naomi Coto carries Simba on her shoulders as they evacuate their home after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Harvey, which made landfall north of Corpus Christi late Friday evening, is expected to dump upwards to 40 inches of rain in Texas over the next couple of days. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
lessHOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 27: Naomi Coto carries Simba on her shoulders as they evacuate their home after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. Harvey,
... moreA UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter and crew from U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations rescues residents in areas flooded by Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017.
A UH-60 Blackhawk Helicopter and crew from U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations rescues residents in areas flooded by Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017.
Texas National Guard soldiers conduct rescue operations in flooded areas around Houston, Texas Aug. 27, 2017. (U.S. Texas Military Department photo by 1Lt. Zachary West, 100th MPAD)
Texas National Guard soldiers conduct rescue operations in flooded areas around Houston, Texas Aug. 27, 2017. (U.S. Texas Military Department photo by 1Lt. Zachary West, 100th MPAD)
Flooded scenes of Grand Mission Estates, Richmond, Texas.
Flooded scenes of Grand Mission Estates, Richmond, Texas.
To add to reader photos. Houston native Austin Leighton, 28, rides in a kayak with his sons Eli, 6, and Samuel, 3, in Mont Belvieu, Texas on Monday, August 28, 2017.
To add to reader photos. Houston native Austin Leighton, 28, rides in a kayak with his sons Eli, 6, and Samuel, 3, in Mont Belvieu, Texas on Monday, August 28, 2017.
A reader sent these photos Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017.
A reader sent these photos Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017.
Readers share photos of how Hurricane Harvey is affecting them in East Texas on Aug. 27, 2017.
Readers share photos of how Hurricane Harvey is affecting them in East Texas on Aug. 27, 2017.
Hurricane Harvey couldn't keep Otis the dog down.
Hurricane Harvey couldn't keep Otis the dog down.
Contractor Ricky Green of Alabama finishes a day of picking up large debris in a Memorial-area neighborhood. A red X signifying that someone died inside still marks Robert Arthur Haines' house on Langwood.
Contractor Ricky Green of Alabama finishes a day of picking up large debris in a Memorial-area neighborhood. A red X signifying that someone died inside still marks Robert Arthur Haines' house on Langwood.
Academics from the seven campuses can apply for the first round of funding for projects that involve collaboration across institutions. Applications are due early next year.
In August, Hurricane Harvey turned streets into rivers in this neighborhood near Interstate 10 East.
In August, Hurricane Harvey turned streets into rivers in this neighborhood near Interstate 10 East.
The seven universities involved are: UH, Rice, the University of Texas at Tyler, Texas Tech University, Louisiana State University, the University of Miami and the University of Florida.
Amr Elnashai, UH's vice president for research and technology transfer, said in a statement that the concept came together after hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria hit the United States this year.
NATURE RULED, MAN REACTED: Harvey was Houston's reckoning(HoustonChronicle.com)
Universities around Texas have invested in research after Harvey hit in late August, but those projects have largely been from individual institutions.
UH research on coastal protection and water contamination after Hurricane Harvey received a combined $210,869 from the National Science Foundation, which is backing multiple projects on hurricanes after Harvey and Irma this fall.
Texas A&M University's AgriLife Extension Service is offered free private water well testing for contamination.
Communications researchers at the University of Texas at Austin worked to analyze how individuals needing emergency help -- as well as first responders -- used social media as the 911 system was overwhelmed.
Lindsay Ellis writes about higher education for the Chronicle. You can follow her on Twitter and send her tips at lindsay.ellis@chron.com.
