Science

TU Delft sets up Harvey research team

An interdisciplinary team, which was set up by Professor Bas Jonkman (CiTG), will conduct research and respond to Hurricane Harvey. The hurricane has caused massive flooding in Houston and its surroundings since its landfall on August 25th, 2017.

Texas National Guard soldiers arrive in Houston, Texas to aid citizens in heavily flooded areas from the storms of Hurricane Harvey. (Photos: Lt. Zachary West , 100th MPAD)

The objective of the Delft Harvey Research Team will be to organise and undertake a coordinated multidisciplinary response by TU Delft to the events occurring in Texas. The response will consist of two phases: ‘fact finding’ during and in the immediate aftermath of the event, and ‘longer term research’ beginning 1-2 months after the event.


The ‘fact finding’ will include efforts to collect data and information on the meteorological conditions and the hydrologic and hydraulic response of the weather system; the emergency management and disaster response; and the impact of the event on critical and hydraulic infrastructure. The team will deliver an initial report and presentation at the end of the ‘fact finding’ phase.


Contextualise the case


Phase I’s report will also include a description of the socio-economic, environmental, and engineering and urban planning approaches typical of communities located on the Texas coast in order to contextualise the case. In Phase II, research will be undertaken and lessons learned analysed to inform the Dutch Flood Risk Reduction Strategies community.


The Delft Harvey Research Team was initiated by Prof. Bas Jonkman and is coordinated by Dr Baukje Kothuis (Texas-TU Delft liaison for CiTG, TBM & BK) and Dr Antonia Sebastian (CiTG, Rice University Houston). The initial core team will also include Kasper Lendering (CiTG Hydraulic Structures and Flood Risk) and Kenny Meesters (TBM Emergency and Response).


Related article:


Interview with Dr. Antonia Sebastian on hurricane Harvey

Science editor Jos Wassink

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j.w.wassink@tudelft.nl

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