Florida State University (FSU) was awarded the “StormReady” certification by the National Weather Service in May 2007. This recognition highlights that FSU has taken necessary precautions to protect its people and property from severe weather. Out of the 16 universities in the United States to receive this designation at the time, FSU was the first in Florida.
More recently, Virtual Planet Technologies, in collaboration with Florida Atlantic University (FAU), launched “Sea Level Rise Explorer WPB.” It is a virtual simulation that showcases the potential impact of a Category 5 hurricane and sea level rise on West Palm Beach.
Keith A. James, the City of West Palm Beach mayor, experienced the SLR Explorer WPB first-hand last fall and found it enlightening. He expressed that the technology demonstrated the devastating impact of sea level rise on the city and was impressed with the demonstration of mitigation measures that could counteract its effects.
“The virtual reality experience was quite enlightening,” James told FAU’s News Desk. “This technology demonstrated in unambiguously clear terms the devastating impact of sea level rise on our city,” said James. “I was also impressed with the demonstration of the impact of mitigation measures that could be employed to counter the effects of sea level rise.”
The simulation, created with 3D technology, highlights the threat to the coastline and potential solutions for coastal areas. The SLR Explorer WPB also showcases damage mitigation solutions, such as raising the seawall at Osprey Park.
A team of experts from Virtual Planet, FAU, and Stanford University, including researcher Anna Queiroz, Ph.D., collaborated to create an immersive VR experience.
Queiroz, who specializes in VR’s impact on environmental education and climate-related behavior at Stanford University, stated that the findings will aid decision-makers, community leaders, and residents in taking practical measures to mitigate the effects of rising sea levels in West Palm Beach.
SLRE: West Palm Beach – Trailer from Virtual Planet Technologies on Vimeo.
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