Projects Will Improve Hazard Warnings for New Jersey New York and Connecticut Residents

NOTE: For a full list of the 10 projects funded under this program visit click here

(Sandy Hook, NJ) — New Jersey Sea Grant, Connecticut Sea Grant, and New York Sea Grant have awarded funds totaling $1.4 million to support ten social science research projects to improve community understanding and response to coastal storm hazard information as part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sea Grant “Coastal Storm Awareness Program” (CSAP).

Despite the unparalleled accuracy of the forecast for Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy, too many coastal residents either failed to fully understand the severity of the storm and the dangerous conditions it would produce, or chose not to evacuate in spite of the serious risks of staying in their homes. The awarded projects will study community response to disasters by closely examining the coastal storm warning systems, the information conveyed (what to expect, when to expect it, and what do) and the factors that affect whether recipients of this information decide to act on it. The results of this research will improve the communication of coastal hazards to both the general community and to community leaders.

“This work should lead to an improved response from coastal residents in the face of impending storms. A better understanding of the true implications of extreme weather threats like Sandy is a step forward in building a Weather-Ready Nation,” said Peyton Robertson, NOAA’s Chair of the Sandy Assessment Team. Robertson’s full discussion on Federal News Radio during the time of CSAP’s initial funding announcement in October 2013 can be streamed via NYSG’s news item, “On Air: NOAA Announces Sea Grant’s Coastal Storm Awareness Program.”

This national competition drew on the decades of experience within NOAA and Sea Grant as well as the well-earned reputation for credibility and trust of the Sea Grant outreach communities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. By combining Sea Grant’s established relationship within local communities with current social science research, this effort will be able to maximize awareness and understanding of the true severity of coastal hazards – even amongst hard to reach, isolated groups within communities.

Sea Grant’s CSAP is a part of the Disaster Relief Appropriations of 2013 (DRA), commonly referred to as the Sandy Supplemental.  DRA provided supplemental appropriations to the NOAA to improve and streamline disaster assistance associated with Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy, and for other purposes.  In addition to recovering and rebuilding infrastructure from the devastation of Sandy, NOAA will conduct a coordinated program of activities to improve NOAA information and services for decision makers, communities, and the public in preparation for, response to, and recovery from other high-impact events. The results of these efforts will contribute to NOAA’s vision of resilient ecosystems, communities, and economies.

The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is an affiliation of colleges, universities and other groups dedicated to advancing knowledge and stewardship of New Jersey’s marine and coastal environment.  NJSGC meets its mission through its innovative research, education and outreach programs. For more information, visit NJSGC on the web at njseagrant.org or on social media at facebook.com/NJSeaGrant.