TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—With the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season underway, the State University System of Florida (System) is encouraging preparedness and highlighting the impactful research conducted by its public universities, delivering Florida-focused solutions that strengthen communities across the state.
“Innovative research remains central to the System’s mission, especially as we prepare for what the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season may bring. Across our universities, faculty and students are advancing critical storm research and delivering solutions that help Floridians anticipate, respond to, and recover from hurricanes,” said System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. “Through strong coordination with state and local partners, we continue to strengthen campus readiness and emergency response efforts. The safety of our students, faculty, and campus communities is our highest priority, and our commitment to preparedness ensures our institutions remain resilient and ready to protect and support those who depend on them.”
Florida’s public universities are conducting research that addresses local needs and challenges, delivering meaningful benefits across the state and beyond. Highlights of recent projects and outreach focused on hurricane preparedness and resilience include:
- FAU faculty are leading experts on a wide range of hurricane-related issues and are available to discuss topics including forecasting, flooding, storm impacts, climate resilience, disaster recovery, and economic effects. They are available to speak with media throughout the 2026 hurricane season. Read more here.
- FGCU faculty are monitoring ocean conditions in real time to help improve hurricane forecasts. Newly deployed buoys track wave heights, wind speeds and subsurface temperatures, with that data shared directly to forecasters as storms are tracked. Hurricane experts are available to speak with the media throughout hurricane season. Read more here.
- The Network for Enhancing Wellness in Disaster-Affected Youth (NEW DAY) at FIU’s Center for Children and Families provides free training to teachers, counselors, first responders, pediatric providers, and other youth-serving professionals across the country on how to help children cope after traumatic events like hurricanes, strengthening community mental health response before and after disasters strike. Read more here.
- FIU’s Wall of Wind tested a full-scale manufactured home against hurricane-force winds in what researchers believe is the first experiment of its kind conducted at any university in the world. Read more here.
- FSU researchers and emergency management specialists are available to discuss forecasting, evacuation, insurance, and building resilience against hurricanes with media throughout hurricane season. Read more here.
- UCF is home to the nation’s No. 1-ranked Emergency Management graduate program for three consecutive years (U.S. News & World Report), signaling the university’s long-standing leadership in programs that keep people safe from disasters of all kinds. World-class faculty are known for strong partnerships that give students real-world insights from federal, state, and local emergency management agencies, as well as their pursuit of cutting-edge innovations, such as digital replicas of communities called “digital twins” that model disaster scenarios and recovery plans. To prepare before disaster strikes, Floridians can follow the advice in this video from Boardman Endowed Professor of Environmental Science and Public Administration Christopher Emrich.
- A UF study published in Biological Reviews reviewed over 300 scholarly articles and looked for trends that showed how animals reacted and adapted to tropical cyclones, which include hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean, typhoons in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, and cyclones in the south Pacific and Indian oceans. Read more here.
- UF offers its annual Hurricane Hub — a comprehensive resource connecting journalists with leading experts on all aspects of hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery. In addition, the UF/IFAS Disaster Prep and Recovery guide provides expert-informed information and guidance to protect lives and property.
- This year, UNF unveiled the installation of the WellSpring100, an Atmospheric Water Generator technology that will allow UNF to conduct resiliency research to help protect critical infrastructure from threats and disasters. Read more here.
- Now and throughout hurricane season, USF experts are available to help reporters break down what to watch, what last year taught us, and how communities can prepare now. USF offers experts across climate and extreme weather topics, coastal systems, emergency management, public health, and more. Read more here.
Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to take proactive steps to be prepared throughout the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season by staying informed and developing a personal preparedness plan. Individuals should visit flbog.edu/university-alerts to sign up for their official university alerts and ensure they receive timely updates regarding campus operations, resources, and emergency information.
Additional guidance on storm readiness from the Florida Division of Emergency Management can be found at floridadisaster.org/university, which provides tools and information to help students develop a plan that best suits their needs.
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About the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors and a Board-appointed Chancellor who serves as the System’s chief executive. The System comprises 12 universities and more than 431,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Florida has ranked number one in higher education by U.S. News & World Report since the inception of the rankings in 2017, recognized for providing high-quality, accessible, and affordable education. For more information, visit flbog.edu or follow us on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.