Contents
Preface
Chapter
Understanding, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate(
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology U.S. House of Representatives, Hearing Charter, Understanding, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate
Purpose
Witnesses
Overarching Questions
Background
Understanding the Causes of Extreme Weather Events
Forecasting Extreme Weather Events
Communicating Extreme Weather Events
Impacts of Extreme Weather Events
Additional Reading
Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Full Committee Hearing: Understanding, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate, Thursday, September 26, 2019
Opening Statement of Ranking Member Frank Lucas, Full Committee Hearing, Understanding, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate, September 26, 2019
Testimony of Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Geography, and Director, Atmospheric Sciences Program, Department of Geography, University of Georgia, and 2013 President, Americ...
Written Testimony of Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Sciences and Geography and Director, Atmospheric Sciences Program at the University of Georgia, Former President of the American Meteoro...
Clarity on Extreme Weather-Climate Change Attribution, Messaging, and Steps Forward Key Takeaway Points
Introduction
Contemporary Extreme Weather within the Context of Climate Change
Messaging Emergencies in the Extreme Weather-Climate Change Connections
Some Ideas to Move Forward
Keep Scientific Observation and Modeling Capacity Robust
Learn from Best Practices in Regional or Stakeholder Efforts
Understand Risk, Vulnerability, and Resiliency
Concluding Thoughts
Biographical Sketch Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd University of Georgia
Testimony of Dr. James Done, Project Scientist III and Willis Research Fellow, Capacity Center for Climate and Weather Extremes, Mesoscale & Microscale Meteorology Lab, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Written Testimony of Dr. James M. Done, Deputy Director, Capacity Center for Climate and Weather Extremes, National Center for Atmospheric Research, and Willis Research Fellow, before the House Committee on Science, Space, & Technology, Understanding...
Executive Summary
Introduction
We Live in a New Era of Changing Extreme Weather
What Can We Expect in the Future?
Innovating Our Science and Risk Management
Conclusion
Testimony of Dr. Adam Sobel, Professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Columbia University, and Director and Chief Scientist, Initiative on Extreme Weather and Climate, Columbia University
Dr. Adam H. Sobel, Professor, Applied Physics & Applied Mathematics and Earth & Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, before the House, Science, Space, and Technology Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., September 26, 2019
Introduction
How Extreme Weather Is Affected by Climate Change: An Overview
In-Depth Example: Hurricanes
What We Know About Changes in Hurricanes
Uncertainty Is Not Our Friend
The Most Important Thing to Understand Here Is: When It Comes to Disaster Risk, Uncertainty Is Not Our Friend
Changes in the Future Will Be Greater Than in the Past or Present
Future Research Challenges
Concluding Remarks
Dr. Adam H. Sobel, Professor, Applied Physics & Applied Mathematics and Earth & Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY
Testimony of Dr. Berrien Moore, Director, National Weather Center, University of Oklahoma
Testimony of Dr. Berrien Moore, III, Dean of the College of Atmospheric & Geographic Sciences, Chesapeake Energy Corporation Chair in Climate Studies, Director of the National Weather Center
Observations
Assimilation and Modeling
Testimony of Dr. Ann Bostrom, Weyerhaeuser Endowed Professor in Environmental Policy, University of Washington
Written Testimony of Ann Bostrom, Weyerhaeuser Endowed Professor of Environmental Policy, Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance, University of Washington
Changing Perceptions, Yet Still Unanticipated Extremes
Failures to Forestall Catastrophe: Social and Behavioral Sciences Insights and Opportunities
Beyond Messaging Individuals: Integrating Social and Behavioral Sciences throughout the Weather Enterprise
Building Leadership and Capacity
Appendix I: Answers to Post-Hearing Questions
Responses by Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd
Responses to Questions from Mr. Walz
Responses to Questions from Ms. Horn
Responses to Questions from Mr. Lipinski
Responses by Dr. James Done
Answers to Questions for the Record Submitted by Members of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
Answers to Questions Submitted by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
Answer to the Question Submitted by Mr. Michael Waltz
Answers to Questions Submitted by Ms. Kendra Horn
Answer to the Question Submitted by Mr. Dan Lipinski
Responses by Dr. Adam Sobel
Dr. Adam H. Sobel, Professor, Applied Physics & Applied Mathematics and Earth & Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, before the House, Science, Space, and Technology Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., September 26, 2019
Responses to Questions for the Record, October 29, 2019
Questions Submitted by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
Question Submitted by Mr. James Baird
Question Submitted by Mr. Michael Waltz
Questions Submitted by Ms. Kendra Horn
Responses by Dr. Berrien Moore
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, "Understanding, Forecasting and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate,” Questions for the Record to: Dr. Berrien Moore, Director, National Weather Center, University of Oklahoma
Submitted by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
Questions by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Response to Question 1, Berrien Moore III
Questions by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Response to Question 2, Berrien Moore III
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, “Understanding. Forecasting and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate,” Questions for the Record to: Dr. Berrien Moore, Director, National Weather Center, University of Oklahoma
Submited by Mr. Michael Waltz
Questions by Congressman Michael Waltz, Response to Questions, Berrien Moore III
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, “Understanding, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate,” Questions for the Record to: Dr. Berrien Moore, Director, National Weather Center, University of Oklahoma, Submit...
Questions by Congressman James Beard, Response to Questions, Berrien Moore III
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, "Understanding, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate," Questions for the Record to: Dr. Berrien Moore, Director, National Weather Center, University of Oklahoma
Submitted by Ms. Kendra Hom
Questions by Congresswoman Kendra Horn, Response to Questions, Berrien Moore III
Flood Maps
Improve Communications
Gaps in Observational Infrastructure
Supercomputing
What Roles ...
Responses by Dr. Ann Bostrom
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, "Understanding, Forecasting, and Communicating Extreme Weather in a Changing Climate," Questions for the Record to: Dr. Ann Bostrom, Weyerhaeuser Endowed Professor in Environmental Policy, University ...
Submitted by Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson
EISWG Letter Report on EPIC to the SAB
Submitted by Ms. Kendra Horn
Appendix II: Additional Material for the Record
Executive Summary
Hurricane (Tropical Cyclone)
Atlantic Hurricanes
Pacific Hurricanes
International Events
Cyclone Mekunu
Typhoon Jebi (Maymay) and Typhoon Trami (Paeng)
Typhoon Mangkhut (Ompong)
Flood
1,000-Year Floods Again
Hurricanes: A Contributing Cause to Severe Inland Flooding
Factors Influencing Flood Severity
Wind
Thunderstorms
Wildfire
Major Fires in 2018
2018 Compared to the Previous 10 Years
Earthquake
Alaska Earthquake (M7.0)
Hokkaido Earthquake (M6.6)
Sulawesi/Palu Earthquake and Tsunami (M7.5)
Volcano
Mt. Kilauea Volcanic Eruption
Hail
2018 Compared with Previous Years
State/Metro Areas with the Most Activity and Damage Costs
Tornado
State/Metro Areas with the Most Activity and Damage Costs
About CoreLogic
White Paper Submitted by Representative Kendra Horn
How Tornado Technologies Work
Introduction
The Challenge
Purpose
Limitations of Verification Methods
Using Visual Reports for Tornado Verification
Using NWS Damage Surveys
Using Weather Radar for Tornado Verification
Using Drones and Aerial Imagery
The CoreLogic Solution
Summary
Verify Tornado Claims to Improve Customer Satisfaction and Profitability
A Powerful Combination
Document Submitted by Representative Randy Weber
Comments of Julienne Sugarek, Vice President of Power Delivery Solutions on Behalf of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., before the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy, Hearing Entitled "T...
Introduction
About CenterPoint Energy
Intelligent Grid & Modernization
Cybersecurity
Electromagnetic Pulse Protection
Hurricane Harvey Response and Restoration
Grid Modernization Research and Development Act and the Grid Cybersecurity Research and Development Act
Conclusion
Charts Submitted by Representative Francis Rooney
Chapter 2
Creating a Climate Resilient America: Reducing Risks and Costs(
Opening Statement (As Prepared for Delivery) Rep. Kathy Castor (D–FL), Chair U.S. House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis “Creating a Climate Resilient America: Reducing Risks and Costs” November 20, 2019
Statements of the Honorable W. Craig Fugate, Craig Fugate Consulting LLC, Former Fema Administrator; the Honorable Alice Hill, Senior Fellow for Climate Change Policy, Council on Foreign Relations; and Chad Berginnis, Executive Director, Association...
Statement of the Honorable W. Craig Fugate
Testimony of the Hon. W. Craig Fugate, Principal, Craig Fugate Consulting LLC; Former FEMA Administrator, Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, “Creating a Climate Resilient America: Reducing Risks and Costs...
Disaster Cost Are Growing at an Unsustainable Rate
Climate Change Impacts Are Occurring and Getting Worse
The Past Is Not Preparing Us for the Future
Recommendations
Build Better Climate Impact Models and Analysis Tools for States and Local Governments
The Nation Lacks Uniformed Tools to Measure Resilience
How and Where Will We Build Matters
Preparing for Extreme Flood Risk
Update Flood Risk Maps and Communication of Flood Risk
The Federal Government Should Not Be the First Financial Responder to Frequent Disasters
Stop Growing the Risk
Statement of the Honorable Alice Hill
Testimony of the Hon. Alice C. Hill, Senior Fellow for Climate Change Policy, Council on Foreign Relations, Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, “Creating a Climate Resilient America: Reducing Risks and Cos...
Resilient Building Codes
Risk Assessment in Land-Use Decisions
Technical Assistance
Statement of Chad Berginnis
Testimony of Chad Berginnis, Executive Director, Association of State Floodplain Managers, Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, “Creating a Climate Resilient America: Reducing Risks and Costs” November 20, ...
Introduction
Our Nation’s Flood Risk Is Increasing Dramatically
Data, Analysis and Information
Federal Agency/Programs and Policies
Administration/Congress
Interagency Coordination
Department of Defense/U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Federal Highway Administration
Housing and Urban Development
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Adaptation and Hazard Mitigation
Social and Housing Considerations
United States House of Representatives Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, Hearing on November 20, 2019 “Creating a Climate Resilient America: Reducing Risks and Costs” Questions for the Record, The Hon. W. Craig Fugate Principal, Craig Fugate Co...
The Honorable Kathy Castor
References
Questions for the Record, The Hon. Alice C. Hill, Senior Fellow for Climate Change Policy Council on Foreign Relations
The Honorable Kathy Castor
Questions for the Record, Chad Berginnis Executive Director, Association of State Floodplain Managers
The Honorable Kathy Castor
Index
