Texas Hurricane Center presents conference at UH Aug. 5

A conference at the University of Houston (UH) Aug. 5 will address Gulf Coast preparation plans for the 2011 hurricane season. Among the topics discussed are coastal protection, homeland security and debris management.

Open to members of the community, emergency managers and industry suppliers, this third-annual event - "Hurricanes, Major Disasters, Coastal Protection and Rapid Recovery in Texas and the Gulf Coast Region" - will take place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton University of Houston. The event is hosted by the Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology.

Four keynote speakers will kick off the first hour of the event. Harris County Judge Ed Emmett will talk about the county's challenges and lessons learned; Galveston County Judge Mark Henry will address his county's challenges and preparedness; Houston City Council Member Stephen Costello will discuss hurricane and flooding challenges in Houston; and Ramesh Shrestha, a UH professor of civil engineering, will present new technologies in LIDAR mapping at UH. Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, will discuss disaster-related challenges in Texas during the luncheon presentation.

The remainder of the day will be filled with four panels, addressing new technologies, transportation issues, coastal protection and flooding. Presenters are slated to cover such topics as regional preparedness, disaster assistance, oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, coastal barriers, storm surge models, debris management, disaster mitigation and resiliency, and the role of local and national government.

Seating is limited to the first 150 registrants. Registration is offered at the door for $125, with students receiving a discounted price of $50 with a current UH ID and school registration. The cost covers admission, lunch, coffee breaks and free hotel parking. Conference attendees can earn up to five professional development hours.

WHAT:

The Texas Hurricane Center for Innovative Technology's one-day public conference

WHEN:

8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 5

WHERE:

Hilton University of Houston (map: http://www.uh.edu/campus_map/buildings/CHC.php)

Off Calhoun Road, Entrance 1 - parking in hotel garage

WHO:

Speakers include Harris County Judge Ed Emmett, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry, Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd, Texas State Rep. Larry Taylor and many others.

Provided by University of Houston