HOUSTON (CW39) – Emergency officials have a new tool that will help them make the big calls before a tropical storm hits. It’s called HURREVAC, short for Hurricane Evacuation, and it is a decision-support software that will be used by local emergency managers when evacuations are necessary.
What to know
- Name: HURREVAC (Hurricane Evacuation)
- Developer: Sea Island Software
- Program: National Hurricane Program (FEMA/USACE/NHC)
- Access: Strictly restricted to government emergency managers
- Primary function: Calculates “evacuation start times” based on wind arrival and clearance data
- Key data inputs: NHC forecast tracks, SLOSH storm surge modeling, and local evacuation studies
HURREVAC is a strictly government tool and is part of the National Hurricane Program. It works by combining the latest National Hurricane Center forecast track, wind, and storm surge information with local evacuation study data. FEMA said it will help emergency managers line up real-time forecasts, storm surge modeling, and evacuation clearance times so they can better plan for hurricane threats.
This free tool, developed by Sea Island Software, analyzes when tropical-storm-force winds could arrive, what areas may be vulnerable to storm surge, and how long it may take to move people out safely. One of its key features is calculating an “evacuation start time,” basically the last practical window to begin an evacuation before dangerous conditions arrive.
What sets HURREVAC apart is its design: it is built specificallyfor decision-making, not public forecasting. It does not replace the National Hurricane Center, and it does not make the evacuation decision for local leaders. Instead, it helps officials fine-tune that decision using the newest official forecast and local planning data…