Flood insurance can be the difference between recovering from a hurricane and being financially devastated. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, just one inch of water in a home can cost more than $25,000 in damage.
Nothing, however, is as valuable as one’s safety.
That’s what University of Georgia Professor Sun Joo “Grace” Ahn and collaborators are trying to demonstrate to inform better storm surge awareness and safety.
Weather the Storm is an immersive virtual reality experience designed to help coastal residents understand the true dangers of hurricanes—without putting their lives at risk. Developed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, this simulation places you inside a coastal home as a major storm approaches, letting you experience the escalating wind, rain, and storm surge firsthand.
Starting in a beach house, the simulation takes you through the process of hearing weather alerts, watching as the storm intensifies and water levels rise, the dangers of staying behind, and understanding how quick decisions can determine survival.
Get a quick look at a portion of the simulation in the video above, and learn more about the Weather the Storm project here.
