Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast this week, bringing high winds,   drenching rains, and powerful storm surges to Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The storm was one of the most powerful  ever to hit the United States. In this hour, we'll talk about  what the remainder of this year's  hurricane season might hold.  Are we seeing more -- and more intense -- storms?  Could there be a connection to global climate change?

 

Plus, Katrina's effects are being seen far away from the Gulf  -- perhaps even at your local gas pump. From rigs to refineries, we'll get a primer on the process of oil production, and find out  how much damage  Katrina has done to oil facilities in the Gulf Region.

Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Chris Landsea
Research Meteorologist 
NOAA Hurricane Research Division
Miami, Florida

Kerry Emanuel
Author, "Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes" (Oxford University Press, 2005)
Professor, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Rayola Dougher  
Manager, Energy Market Issues
American Petroleum Institute
Washington, DC

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes" by Kerry Emanuel. Oxford University Press, 2005.

(find books discussed on previous broadcasts)

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth