A five-year pilot study of greater metropolitan New Orleans has been the initial focus of the Hurricane Public Health Center.  A city unique in so many ways, from its below-sea level elevations; to its extensive hurricane protection system; to its importance in navigation and as a port; to industry; and in so many other ways, New Orleans is one of the most vulnerable cities to hurricanes and floods in the nation; a fact sadly evidenced by the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

An interdisciplinary team of scientists continues to address the myriad of public health issues associated with hurricanes and major flooding in low-lying coastal cities such as New Orleans.   While the study centers on hurricanes and major flooding, all aspects of the project are managed through an interactive GIS, which has been designed to consolidate all study aspects into a final study model.  This final model and methodology will be useful for studying hazards, as well as building an interdisciplinary forum for better commumication between academia, emergency management and government. The model is designed to be exportable nationally and internationally for all-hazards, including terrorism.

LSU Hurricane Public Health Center ~ Suite 3221 Patrick F. Taylor Hall ~ Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70803 ~ tel: (225) 578-0268 ~ fax: (225) 578-5263 ~ publichealth.hurricane.lsu.edu