University of Maryland Will Hold Hurricane Day in UMD Wind Tunnel
COLLEGE PARK, MD. (PRWEB) June 24, 2016 -- COLLEGE PARK, MD – With the arrival of hurricane season, the University of Maryland is offering reporters the chance to experience hurricane-force winds in its Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel on Friday, July 8. Members of the media will have the much-sought-after opportunity to stand in the wind tunnel and face Category 3 winds -- up to 115 mph!
UMD's Wind Tunnel is one of the busiest wind tunnels in the country and is booked months in advance for research activity. For that reason, the university provides members of the media access to the wind tunnel just once a year.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2016 Atlantic hurricane season outlook predicts a “near-normal” season with a 70 percent probability of 4-8 hurricanes, which includes Alex in January, with 1-4 of these being major hurricanes. NOAA also notes that “it only takes one hurricane (or tropical storm) to cause a disaster.”
University of Maryland experts will be on hand to answer questions about disaster resilience, severe weather, climate, wind and the wind tunnel. For example, researchers from the university's Center for Disaster Resilience will shed light on why many communities – including those in the D.C. metropolitan area – need to ramp up resilience measures in preparation for summer storms.
The Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel, a part of the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering, has helped shape development of a wide array of products ranging from airplanes to automobiles to speed skating suits. Its work has received wide news coverage. For example, last year, UMD’s Wind Tunnel was featured as a Washington, DC area "Power Player of the Week" by Fox News Sunday. Anchor Chris Wallace, noted that UMD’s Wind Tunnel "has been doing fascinating work for more than half a century."
HOW: MEDIA MUST BOOK AN APPOINTMENT (up to one hour long) by calling or emailing Jennifer Rooks (jfrooks[at]umd[dot]edu, 301-405-1458) or Lee Tune (ltune[at]umd[dot]edu, 301-405-4679).
WHO: UMD experts in attendance will include: Sandra Knight, Ph.D., Director of the University’s Center for Disaster Resilience, and a former FEMA Deputy Associate Administrator of Mitigation; Gerry Galloway, Ph.D., a Center for Disaster Resilience associate and UMD Glenn L. Martin Institute Professor of Engineering; and Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel Director Jewel Barlow, an associate professor of aerospace engineering.
WHEN: Friday, July 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment only.
FOR ATTENDEES: Due to the potential wind velocities experienced in the tunnel, visitors are strongly advised to wear durable, rubber-soled shoes and snug, securely fastened clothing.
WHERE: Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel, Paint Branch Drive, University of Maryland, College Park, Md.
The Wind Tunnel building is located on Paint Branch Drive near the intersection of Campus Drive and Paint Branch Drive. Bldg. #081 on the University of Maryland campus map.
Media should park in the metered Paint Branch Visitor Lot located directly across from the wind tunnel.
To learn more about the University of Maryland Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel, watch Blown Away: UMD Wind Tunnel Video or visit http://www.glmwt.umd.edu.
Lee Tune, University Of Maryland, http://www.umdrightnow.umd.edu/, +1 301-405-4679, [email protected]
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