Hazards & Vulnerability Research Institute (HVRI)


 

Mission
The Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute (HVRI) is an interdisciplinary research and graduate and undergraduate training center focused on the development of theory, data, metrics, methods, applications, and spatial analytical models for understanding the newly emergent field of hazard vulnerability science.

In addition to basic research, the HVRI facilitates local, state, & federal government efforts to improve emergency preparedness, planning, and response and disaster resilience through its outreach activities. These activities include providing technical assistance to and translational products for the practitioner community as well as training emergency managers in GIS applications. Partnerships with federal, state, and local emergency managers will continue as an important component of the Institute’s purpose and mission.

Annual Report
This Month in Disaster History

Chicago Heat Wave, July 12-17 1995

The hottest July temperature in Chicago’s history occurred on July 13, 1995 when temperatures reached 106° F. The record heat and humidity lead to severe heat stress with more than 739 heat-related deaths. Most of the fatalities were elderly and poor residents who had no working air conditioning.

More information is available from an interview with Eric Klineberg, author of "Heat Wave".