MIAMI (Feb. 22, 2007) – Florida International University’s (FIU) International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) and WeatherPredict Consulting, Inc., a U.S. affiliate of reinsurance and insurance provider RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., announced today that they will jointly develop The RenaissanceRe Wall of Wind (“WOW”). The WOW will be an array of six industrial fans that will replicate Category 4 hurricane conditions with 130-140 mph winds and rain in a laboratory environment, allowing scientists to precisely study the impact of severe storms on physical structures and building materials and methods.
“A critical component of minimizing both loss of life and property damage in a hurricane is to better understand the impact of these storms on our buildings,” said Craig W. Tillman, President, WeatherPredict Consulting, Inc. “While substantial resources have been devoted to analyzing hurricanes and improving weather prediction, little scientific research has been done on the ways in which hurricanes affect the building materials that protect us.”
“The valuable scientific data collected from testing on the RenaissanceRe Wall of Wind will help storm-exposed areas like Florida identify superior construction designs, materials and techniques, thus mitigating insured losses and building more resilient communities”, said Tillman.
Powered by a race car engine with 502 horsepower; the RenaissanceRe Wall of Wind consists of six rotating propellers inside 7 ft round aluminum ducts. Wall-mounted and free-standing wind-driven rain gauges will measure vertical and horizontal rainfall intensities. The resultant wind/rain field will travel 10-15 feet from the exit of the Wall of Wind to the test subject (such as a full-size single-story house) where instrumentation and high-speed cameras will monitor its degradation. The testing facility in slated to be completed in late Summer 2007.
"Our initial research with a two-fan array, funded by Florida Division of Emergency Management with support from RenaissanceRe and WeatherPredict, has been very promising,” said Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Director of the International Hurricane Research Center. “We are delighted that RenaissanceRe and WeatherPredict are continuing to support us, the residents of Florida and all vulnerable communities by sponsoring the new six fan array.”
Leatherman continued, “We must devote more resources to understanding the impact of extreme storms on our residential and commercial structures, as well as the utilities and public works at the foundation of our communities. By exposing these to the WOW, we will be able to provide data that can help reduce property damage and, thus, better protect our families and neighbors against future storms.”
About the International Hurricane Research Center
The International Hurricane Research Center is an interdisciplinary research center focused on the mitigation of hurricane damage to people, the economy, and the built and natural environment. Established by the State Legislature in 1995, the IHRC at Florida International University is the Type 1 Center for hurricane research in the State of Florida.
About Weather Predict
Weather Predict (WP) provides weather forecasts with industry-leading accuracy. Our value proposition is to provide customized weather solutions that allow our clients to make improved business decisions. WP distinguishes itself by offering Patented Super Ensemble™* weather forecasting technology; a highly-experienced team with a breadth of credentials; and customized solutions that provide our clients and partners with specific competitive advantages. Our services benefit those in the energy, financial, and agribusiness sectors, including energy and agricultural commodity traders. Weather Predict is a U.S. affiliate of reinsurance and insurance provider RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
About RenaissanceRe
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. is a global provider of reinsurance and insurance. Our business consists of two segments: (1) Reinsurance, which includes catastrophe reinsurance, specialty reinsurance and certain joint ventures and other investments managed by our subsidiary RenaissanceRe Ventures Ltd., and (2) Individual Risk, which includes primary insurance and quota share reinsurance.
—FIU—
Media Contacts:
FIU Media Relations
Dir. Maydel Santana-Bravo
305-348-1555, 305-348-333
Maydel.Santana-bravo@fiu.edu
RenaissanceRe
David Lilly, Kekst & Co.
212-521-4878
International Hurricane Research Center
Dr. Stephen Leatherman
305-348-8364
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