While much of the Hurricane Ian recovery is focused on land, our partners at NOAA have been collecting data about what happened with the water, and assessing safety of the waterways. They have produced two story maps to share the results of these efforts. You can think of story maps as a slide show connected to a map. Kudos to NOAA and their network of partners including the US Coast Guard and US Army Corps of Engineers for doing this important work.
"Extreme Water Levels During Hurricane Ian" describes the path of the Hurricane and the resulting record high and low water levels across the state. NOAA’s Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) tracked water levels during the storm in real-time through the CO-OPS’ Coastal Inundation Dashboard. CO-OPS’ network of water level stations along the coast captured significant water levels at many locations, providing insight into the devastating impacts that Hurricane Ian had on the communities in its path.
"Hurricane Ian Response 2022" depicts the work of NOAA’s navigation response teams (NRT). These teams worked in coordination with the US Coast Guard and the US Army Corps of Engineers to determine if several waterways were safe for use following the hurricane. They conducted five surveys - two in the Tampa Bay area, one in Fort Myers, one in Capri Pass near Naples, and over the Franklin Lock and Dam.
We are a little more than a month away from an exciting Morning Sparks where we will explore our role as one of the largest innovation districts globally! Expect to learn new information on how we plan to drive greater regional economic growth and competition, act as catalysts for economic opportunities in neighboring communities, and strategically position our district for growth in competitive and sustainable ways. This will be the first SPID event held at ARK Innovation Center, so mark your calendar for Friday, August 1st.
What's next for launching rockets into space? Launching rockets from the sea. With limited land availability and significant costs, companies like Seagate Space see a game-changing solution in developing offshore launchpads. There is also a sense of urgency as other countries have included offshore infrastructure as part of their space strategy. Seagate Space and The Spaceport Company are positioned to lead the way for Florida in this new frontier.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is more than just helicopters or planes; it’s the future of transportation. St. Petersburg is looking ahead into electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can perform tasks beyond the capabilities of traditional aviation. Think faster disaster relief response, private air taxis, and much more.