News

2010 Central Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Conference registration begins

BATON ROUGE – Mar. 9, 2010 – Scientists studying sea level changes report the Gulf of Mexico is rising at the rate of one inch every 30 months along the Louisiana coast.

With one-third of the state’s population living below sea level and the average elevation at three feet or less, researchers suggest the next 30 to 60 years in Louisiana could see huge landscape changes.

Rising sea levels and how future hurricanes might impact the state as a result will be a featured topic during presentations at next week’s 2010 Central Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Conference, hosted by the NOAA and the LSU System.  The conference is set for Tuesday, March 16th and Wednesday, March 17th at the Lod Cook Conference Center on the LSU Main Campus in Baton Rouge.

It has been almost two years since a major hurricane struck the Central Gulf region.  Other discussions at the conference are scheduled to include the latest information on hurricane preparedness, forecasting of storms, coastal inundation and storm surge models.  The two-day meeting will also highlight new products and resource that NOAA and LSU will implement for the upcoming hurricane season that begins June 1.

Members of the media and public affairs personnel are invited to attend and take part in all aspects of the conference, including a special discussion, “Communication During a Hurricane Emergency.”

To register and explore the tentative agenda, go to: http://c4g.lsu.edu/hurricane.

WHAT:
2010 Central Gulf of Mexico Hurricane Conference
Hosted by NOAA and Louisiana State University

WHEN:
Tuesday, March 16, 2010, 8:30 – 4:30 p.m. CST
Wednesday, March 17, 2010, 8:30 – 3:15 p.m. CST

WHERE:
Lod Cook Conference Center at Louisiana State University
3848 West Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, La. 70808

WHO:
• John Lombardi, president, Louisiana State University Systemm
• Jamie Rhome, storm surge team lead, NOAA’s National Hurricane Center
• Ken Graham, NOAA meteorologist in charge, Slidell, La.
• Andy Patrick, NOAA meteorologist in charge, Lake Charles, La.
• Armando Garza, NOAA meteorologist in charge, Shreveport, La.

Louisiana State University is committed to excellence at every level, offering a challenging academic and research environment in one of the most unique cultural settings in the nation. Visit http://www.lsu.edu.

NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.

Contact:
John Ewald, (NOAA) 301-713-3066
Tim Osborn (NOAA) 337-254-5933
Charles Zewe (LSU) 225-578-3941

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