GeoTrek

On this episode of GeoTrek, host Hurricane Hal welcomes Laura Myers and Nick Stanley to discuss how we can better protect summer camps and outdoor recreation areas from the growing threat of flash floods.Using the devastating Texas Hill Country tragedy as a case study, they explore the unique risks facing camps located near rivers, canyons, and steep terrain, the role of land-use planning and regulations, and how advanced GIS technology can help identify safer locations and improve emergency planning. The conversation also examines communication between meteorologists, emergency managers, law enforcement, and camp staff, why so many flood fatalities occur in vehicles, and what practical steps can be taken to prevent future tragedies.Whether you're involved in emergency management, weather, outdoor recreation, or disaster resilience, this episode offers valuable insights into protecting lives before, during, and after extreme weather events. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When the power goes out after a hurricane, flood, or severe storm, one of the first challenges families face is figuring out how to safely prepare meals without electricity.In this episode of GeoTrek, Hurricane Hal Needham sits down with Hidalgo County, Texas Judge Richard Cortez, Assistant Chief of Staff Hilda Salinas, and Director of Administrative Operations Lizbeth Gonzalez to discuss the Power Out Cooking Recipe Book—an innovative community preparedness initiative designed to help residents cook and eat safely during extended power outages.The cookbook teaches practical food preparation techniques using multiple off-grid cooking methods, empowering families to be more self-sufficient when traditional utilities are unavailable. It's a simple but impactful resilience program that could be adopted by communities across the country.Tune in to learn how Hidalgo County is helping residents prepare before disaster strikes and why food preparedness is an often-overlooked component of community resilience.View or download the Power Out Cooking Recipe Book for free: https://www.hidalgocounty.us/3285/Power-Out-Cooking-Recipe-Book Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the GeoTrek podcast, Dr. Jo Muller shares insights about the importance of paleoclimatology to improve our understanding of the risk for hurricane impacts and flooding in coastal areas. Professor Dr. Joanne Muller is the Whitaker Institute Eminent Scholar in the College of Arts and Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University. She received her PhD in Paleoclimatology from James Cook University Australia and undertook her post-doctoral research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Her current research interests center on past climate change in tropical and sub-tropical latitudes, with a special focus on hurricane in the Atlantic Basin. Watch the episode or listen wherever you get your podcasts! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

📹 Part 2 of what it's really like to chase the world’s most extreme stories with a camera in hand?In this two-part GeoTrek series, Hurricane Hal sits down with prolific freelance photojournalist and videographer Austin Anderson to unpack a lifetime of stories behind the camera. Austin always comes at stories from unique angles and perspectives that no one else gets.Subscribe for Part 2—you won’t want to miss what he shares next!👉 Follow Austin Anderson on X: https://x.com/HDTVProducer------🔔 Subscribe to our Youtube channel📌 Bookmark your favorite podcast platform👥 Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_geotrek✨ Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_geotrek📩 Inquiries: hello@geo-trek.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do meteorologists communicate severe weather in a way the public actually understands, and acts on? In this episode of GeoTrek, Hurricane Hal sits down with Emily Gracey, host of the Off the Radar Podcast, to talk about the evolving world of meteorology, severe weather communication, and emergency management messaging.Emily shares her personal journey into meteorology and how she built an engaged audience through podcasting and social media while translating complex weather science into information people can use during high-impact events. The conversation explores how meteorologists build public trust, why clear weather communication during hurricanes, tornado outbreaks, and extreme storms matters more than ever, and how digital media is changing the way weather stories are told.If you're interested in meteorology podcasts, severe weather forecasting, emergency management, and the future of weather communication, this episode offers practical insight from someone helping shape the conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

🌊 In this episode, we dive into the intersection of community engagement and climate tech with Julia Drapkin, the CEO and founder of ISeeChange. As flooding and climate risks become more unpredictable, traditional data often misses the "ground truth." Julia explains how her flood tracking and risk analytics software empowers residents to document local changes, providing critical data that helps cities and engineers build more resilient infrastructure.Connect with Julia and I See Change:Website 👉 https://www.iseechange.com/LinkedIn 👉 / juliakumariSubscribe to Geotrek: If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss an episode!#Geotrek #ISeeChange #FloodTracking #ClimateTech #RiskAnalytics #Resilience #CommunityData #Sustainability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we close the book on 2025, Hurricane Hal takes a look back at the top 10 GeoTrek memories of 2025, ranging from an earthquake in Greece to insights from a massive drought mural in Mexico, as well as floods, hail and snowstorms in the United States.Join us for this final journey of the year as we celebrate the stories that shaped us and look ahead to a resilient 2026. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Executive Director John Eckeberger has lived a life shaped by Gulf Coast weather. A native Texan with more than 50 years in ministry, John brings both grit and compassion to his leadership at the 4B Disaster Response Network—a coalition born out of Hurricane Harvey that now serves as a model for coordinated, faith-driven disaster relief.In this episode, John walks us through the mission of 4B DRN, how it all started, and why connecting churches, nonprofits, and volunteers is the secret sauce of effective disaster response. He shares the story behind their new response facility, the surprising ways volunteers stay active between major storms, and how other regions can replicate this community-first model.We also dive into Weathered Wisdom, where John recalls the extreme weather event that left the deepest mark on him—a moment that helped shape his calling.From mobilizing local churches as evacuation centers to equipping everyday people to step into disaster zones with confidence, John brings clarity, warmth, and hard-earned insight.Listeners will walk away with a practical understanding of how disaster resilience really gets built—and how they can support the mission. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Documentary filmmaker George Siegal, founder of Move the World Films, exposes the hidden risks in our homes and what we can do to make smarter, safer housing decisions before disaster strikes.Be one of the first 10 to click the link below and you'll receive a free guest pass to watch The Last House Standing for FREE! - Click this link 👉 https://pro.speakerhub.com/speaker-feedback/?qr=f8e08b24-5d3a-45a9-982f-ef89c4d7fd41 - Then use this code at checkout (all uppercase) 👉 HURRICANEHALSPECIAL🎙️ Watch this episode to learn how everyday decisions about where and how we live can mean the difference between safety and disaster. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Television producer and digital storyteller Dan Krueger has spent his career turning complex stories into captivating visuals — from CBS and Discovery Channel to his latest work as Lead Technical Field Producer of FloodVision, a groundbreaking Climate Central project bringing flood risk to life.In this episode of GeoTrek, host Dr. “Hurricane Hal” Needham talks with Dan about his journey through television, marketing, and science communication — and how tools like FloodVision are helping forecasters, scientists, and communities better understand and visualize flood danger before disaster strikes.Plus, in our Weathered Wisdom segment, Dan shares the unforgettable extreme weather event that shaped his perspective on resilience and storytelling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clear communication is paramount for effective disaster response. Julie Kay Roberts, seasoned expert in strategic communications and emergency management, joins us on GeoTrek podcast #119 to talk about the importance of having a disaster plan, and to share about her amazing work at the Private Sector Emergency Management Association (psema.org). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of GeoTrek, we’re joined by Alessandra Jerolleman, Director of Research at the Center for Environment, Land, and Law at Loyola University in New Orleans. As we mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Alessandra shares her personal story of the storm’s impact and reflects on the critical lessons we've learned since then.We dive deep into the ongoing challenges of flood protection, discussing both the benefits and risks of levee systems, as well as how infrastructure can lead to unintended consequences. Alessandra offers a compelling perspective on how the Gulf Coast can better prepare for future storms, while acknowledging the limits of flood defenses.Plus, we’ll hear a powerful "Weathered Wisdom" story that showcases the raw power of nature and leaves a lasting impression. Tune in for valuable insights on how to protect New Orleans and other vulnerable communities in the face of extreme weather. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flooding is the most common—and costly—natural disaster in the U.S. So how do you protect your property before the water rises?Tom Little, President and CEO of Smart Vent Products, LLC, joins Dr. Hal to explain the science and strategy behind wet and dry floodproofing. A Certified Floodplain Manager and longtime educator in resilient design, Tom shares how these methods can drastically reduce flood damage and lower insurance premiums.💧 Topics covered:Wet vs. dry floodproofing: What’s the difference?Tips for builders, homeowners, and local officialsHow Smart Vent, Freedom Flood Vent, and Floodproofing.com address the full spectrum of flood protectionWhy investing in mitigation pays off long termProtect your property—and your wallet—by getting smarter about flood risks.#Floodproofing #SmartVent #FloodResilience #GeoTrek #FloodInsurance #ClimateAdaptation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.