May 20: Eye of the Storm: Hurricane Science, Mitigation and Preparedness

Free Event 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Museum of Discovery and Science

Florida families are invited to a free day of activities at Eye of the Storm: Hurricane Science Mitigation and Preparedness on Saturday, May 20, 2017 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. The event is sponsored by the City of Fort Lauderdale Emergency Management, Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida International University’s International Hurricane Research Center, Broward County Emergency Management, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Miami-Dade College and the International Hurricane Protection Association (IHPA).

Hurricane preparedness is vital for South Florida, with a rich history of hurricane landfalls, most notably Hurricanes Andrew (1992), Katrina (2005) and Wilma (2005).  Hurricane Mathew last year was a reminder that we live in the hurricane capital of the country, and we all need to ready and prepared every hurricane season.  Hurricane season in South Florida officially begins on June 1st and lasts through November 30th, with the peak occurring in late August through October. 

The Eye of the Storm event will include the opening of a new permanent exhibit commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Hurricane Andrew. The exhibit, sponsored by the Florida Division of Emergency Management and Florida International University’s International Hurricane Research Center, includes iconic pictures of its devastating effects across Miami-Dade County.

Eye of the Storm: Hurricane Science Mitigation and Preparedness activities include interactive weather briefings and demonstrations by local meteorologists, presentations by FIU Wall of Wind Researchers, NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters, “Pet Preparedness,” and live theater shows and demonstrations featuring Tsunami Tim, Owlie Skywarn and How the Weather Works. Guests will have the unique opportunity to conduct a hurricane broadcast in the Museum’s Storm Center and meet our local TV meteorologists.

Visitors will be able to test home construction against hurricane force winds in the Wall of Wind (WOW), courtesy of FIU’s International Hurricane Research Center. Plus, see remarkable footage of structures tested by the real Wall of Wind research facility at FIU.

Eye of the Storm Activities – Saturday, May 20, 2017

Interactive Demonstrations

Tropical Weather Briefings by National Hurricane Center and National Weather Service

NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters

Rip Current Safety – Ocean Rescue

TV Weather Studio – Miami Dade College

Windy City Tower Activity

FIU Engineering on Wheels

Presentations by Hurricane Experts

FIU Wall of Wind Researchers

National Weather Service – Weather Balloon

Explore the Museum’s Storm Center

Meet local TV meteorologists

Do a weather broadcast from the Miami-Dade College TV Studio

Live Theater Shows for All Ages

Professor Tinkermeister

Owlie Skywarn

How the Weather Works

Pet Preparedness

Canine Dogs

Emergency Response Vehicles

BSO, Broward County Emergency Management and Fort Lauderdale Emergency Management

The Museum is open seven days a week, 365 days a year; Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The Museum of Discovery and Science is located downtown at 401 SW Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, visitors should call 954.467.MODS (6637) or visit our web site at www.mods.org