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As the Gulf Coast marks the anniversaries of two of the most significant storms in U.S. history, Hurricane Harvey (Aug. 25, 2017) and Hurricane Katrina (Aug. 29, 2005), Rice University faculty are available to provide insight on the storms' lasting impacts, including experts in climate science, engineering, public policy, urban planning, sociology and crisis leadership.
Engineering and flood risk
Herman and George R. Brown Professor of Engineering and director of Rice's Severe Storm Prediction, Education and Evacuation from Disasters (SSPEED) Center
Bedient is an expert on flooding driven by tropical depressions, hurricanes and severe storms. He can discuss the effects of urban development practices and protection strategies for the region. Bedient was Rice's most-cited expert during Hurricane Harvey.
Professor in the practice of environmental law, co-director of the SSPEED Center and faculty scholar at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy
Blackburn focuses on hurricane intensification. He can explain how global warming is increasing storm and flood risks and can discuss sustainable hurricane protection strategies involving dikes, levees, gates, nature-based solutions and carbon credits. He can also address equity in flood protection across the Houston region.
Climate adaptation and community resilience
Professor of anthropology and co-director of Rice's Center for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience
Boyer studies climate mitigation and adaptation. After Hurricane Harvey, he led a National Science Foundation-funded project that examined the emotional and social toll of repeated flooding on Houston residents' decisions to stay or leave the city. He now investigates how green stormwater infrastructure could support climate resilience in underserved neighborhoods of northeast Houston.
Housing and neighborhood vulnerability
Associate director of housing and neighborhoods at Rice's Kinder Institute for Urban Research
Cheong can address poststorm housing challenges spawn from Katrina, Harvey and Beryl and can offer insight into protecting vulnerable neighborhoods and advancing equitable, disaster-resilient housing. She is a co-author of the Kinder Institute's 2025 State of Housing in Harris County and Houston report, which delves into housing affordability, surging insurance costs and climate-related vulnerabilities.
Community perspectives and long-term recovery
Director of the Kinder Institute's Houston Population Research Center
Potter studies how communities recover from major storms, focusing on financial security, housing vulnerability and community resilience. He co-authored a 2025 analysis of Houstonians' views of the recovery effort after Hurricane Beryl, revealing concerns about global warming, preparedness and resilience. He can speak to residents' postdisaster experiences and long-term recovery lessons from Katrina, Harvey and Beryl.
Crisis leadership and public policy
Fellow in energy and transportation policy at the Baker Institute
Emmett can speak on building community resilience to natural and man-made disasters. He served as Harris County judge and the county's director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management during Hurricane Harvey. As the chief executive of Houston's Harris County, Emmett was one of the most prominent officials guiding the community through the most significant disaster in the city's history.
Herbert S. Autrey Professor Emeritus of Political Science
Wilson is an expert in statistics and psychology who can discuss New Orleans evacuees who came to Houston during Hurricane Katrina.
