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Nov. 22, 2004 Volume 29, Issue 17 |
Coast-based prof develops ultimate hurricane guide
Dr. Pat Fitzpatrick's intense interest in and knowledge of tropical storms just might be congenital, considering his birth in the immediate aftermath of one of the nation's more ferocious hurricanes.
"I was born in New Orleans right after Hurricane Betsy (in 1965)," said the scholar and writer on the subject of such natural calamities. "In fact, my mother was in the hospital as a precaution during the hurricane."
Also a resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Houston, Texas, during his youth, Fitzpatrick said he became "fascinated with all aspects of meteorology as I grew up because of weather's impact on these areas."
An associate research professor at the Stennis Space Center office of Mississippi State's GeoResources Institute, Fitzpatrick is the author of a new book on hurricanes set for release in spring 2005 by ABC-CLIO. The Santa Barbara, Calif.-based publisher produces educational and reference works focusing on history and social studies.
Fitzpatrick's book, "Hurricanes: A Reference Handbook," is a follow-up to his earlier work, "Natural Disasters: Hurricanes," which was published in 1999 while he was an assistant professor of meteorology at Jackson State University.
"Hurricanes are still the ultimate chess match," he said. "Will that disturbance become a tropical depression? Will this hurricane rapidly intensify? Where will it go?
"Track forecasts have seen dramatic improvements in the last 30 years but, as seen this past summer, more research is required," noted the professor, who holds bachelor's and master's degrees in meteorology from Texas A&M University and a doctorate in atmospheric sciences from Colorado State.
Both Fitzpatrick books are easily accessible reference works that reveal the workings of savage tropical storms, chart their actions and cycles, assess their economic and environmental impact, and review the latest research on hurricanes. Not meant to be read from beginning to end-each chapter is unique in content-the books are designed primarily for students, teachers, emergency managers, public officials, journalists, and meteorologists, as well as "hurricane buffs" and the general public.
According to the author, however, the latest work includes expanded storm chronology and scientist biography sections; a new chapter on the global perspective of hurricanes; an in-depth discussion of hurricane preparedness and disaster recovery; and updated information on forecasting techniques, hurricane life cycles, and the mystery of why hurricanes have little lightning.
MSU's Starkville-based GeoResources Institute is directed by David R. Shaw. Bringing together faculty from 22 departments within six colleges or units of the university-including the Stennis office-GRI conducts and coordinates research and educational activities in geospatial technologies and resource management.
"Dr. Fitzpatrick is a tremendous resource for Mississippi and the nation on this important topic," said Shaw. "His work has had a positive impact on human safety and development, and preservation of our economy. He complements GRI's multi-disciplinary team of researchers and professionals."