Headline News
Studying the precipitation patterns in hurricanes may be key to predicting future storm patterns and their potential strength, a University of Florida researcher has found.
Supported by a four-year, $212,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, Professor of Geography Corene Matyas, Ph.D. has identified the patterns of rain rates within storms and studied the moisture surrounding these storms.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida has one of the most active artificial reef programs. Bay County alongside the UF-IFAS extension deployed 10 more artificial reef structures.
The structures are shaped like pyramids, with holes so fish can swim through. They were even purposely engineered so sea turtles could fit through the top and bottom holes.
Deploying these reefs is beneficial not just to the environment but also to the economy, bringing new locations for fishing and diving.
Public lands give so much more than they take or cost, providing critical ecosystem services that are beyond value.
Our public lands – local, state or federal – are the birthright of all Americans. Conservation and recreation agencies hold and manage them in public trust, but they belong to us. They are our legacy and our responsibility.
FULL PIECE
Early warning systems, resilient infrastructure and nature-based solutions are cost effective in reducing economic losses.
Florida is no stranger to disasters. From hurricanes and flooding to extreme heat, the state experiences the devastating impacts of climate-driven hazards year after year.
In 2024 alone, Florida faced significant damages from hurricanes Helene and Milton, underscoring the urgent need to shift from reactive disaster response to proactive disaster risk reduction (DRR).
The economic toll of these disasters is staggering. Hurricane Helene, which struck the Big Bend region in September 2024, caused widespread damage, including the destruction of 90% of homes in Keaton Beach and significant losses in Gulfport and Tampa Bay.
When Hurricane Idalia hit the Big Bend region of Florida in 2023, Jeff Carney and his team were watching. A coalition of architects, planners, and landscape architects led by Carney worked closely with the tiny Gulf island of Cedar Key, which is particularly vulnerable to hurricanes, to prepare for this moment. The researchers had modeled for city officials how a major storm would flood the city’s core services.
Read full story: https://news.ufl.edu/2025/02/florida-resilience/.
The Florida Climate Institute (FCI) is a multi-disciplinary network of national and international research and public organizations, scientists, and individuals concerned with achieving a better understanding of climate variability and change.