Science of Coastal Natural Disasters classes provide training on region-specific risks, physical processes, and NOAA products and services related to coastal natural disasters, in order to improve planning and on-the-job decision making.

The classes are designed for new and mid-level emergency planners and responders from federal, state, local governments, as well as interested industry partners, university practitioners, and non-governmental organizations requiring greater knowledge of the science of coastal natural disasters.

During the class, participants can expect to learn about physical processes associated with each disaster type, information and tools necessary to improve decision making and planning, and NOAA’s role during the evolution of a response, from preparedness to response and long-term recovery. Additionally, the course provides a unique opportunity to network with other response professionals across various levels of government and industry.

The class is the third in the “Science of” suite, which also includes Science of Oil Spills (SOS) classes and Science of Chemical Releases (SOCR) classes.

During the training, participants will:

• Become familiar with the types and associated risk of coastal natural disasters, including those most likely to occur in their region and the physical processes associated with each disaster type.
• Share what information and tools are needed to improve on the job decision making and planning for coastal natural disasters.
• Improve their understanding of secondary impacts of coastal natural disasters and how long term considerations such as sea level rise may exacerbate impacts.
• Assess opportunities to utilize and provide feedback on NOAA products and services related to coastal natural disaster preparedness and response.
• Increase their understanding of how NOAA’s role changes during the evolution of a response from preparedness, to response and long- term recovery.
• Visit a local NOAA (or NOAA-partner) office to increase their operational understanding of coastal natural disasters.
• Network with other response professionals to improve their understanding of coastal natural disasters.

The course topics include:

• Overview of coastal natural disaster types and region-specific risk
• NOAA’s role in coastal natural disaster preparedness and response
• Societal, community, and land impacts
• Mitigating impacts
• Hydrological hazards (riverine flooding, flash flooding, nuisance flooding, sea level rise)
• Meteorological hazards (lightning, tropical storms, storm surge, tornadoes)
• Drought and wildfire
• Harmful algal blooms
• Geophysical hazards (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunamis)
• Secondary impacts of coastal natural disasters (oil spills, chemical spills, seafood safety, marine debris)

Student requirements or prerequisites: None

First launched in 2016, Science of Coastal Natural Disasters classes have been held annually at NOAA's Gulf of Mexico Disaster Response Center in Mobile, Alabama. The class runs for 2.5 days.

Class dates have not yet been set for fiscal year 2019; however, when the next class is scheduled, it will be announced on this page and through OR&R's social media channels (Facebook, Twitter).

Accepted applicants will be sent an email containing information about hotel accommodations in the area, a map and directions to the class location, and information about other logistics.

There is no tuition for this class; however, attendees are responsible for their own travel costs.

Online Application: The online application form will be available during the application period for the scheduled class.

Some applicants may have trouble accessing the application form from their workstations. If that occurs, please consider registering from a personal device (home computer, smartphone, etc.). If you experience problems with the submission of your application, please send us an email.
 

Questions: Contact us with questions, comments, or suggestions about Science of Coastal Natural Disasters classes.

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