The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "National Hurricane Center" ...
-
Blind Eye
This series analyzes the problems and failures of the National Hurricane Center in Miami. The center lacks funds and up-to-date instruments, and sometimes expensive equipment fails in severe weather conditions. The two hurricane hunter turboprop planes that belong to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are frequently unavailable to track hurricanes because they are diverted to other jobs that have little or nothing to do with weather.
Tags: National weather service; hurricanes; meteorology; weather predictions
-
Forecast: Hazy
Discover reports on the difficulties that modern meteorologists still face in predicting the weather. The story points to several examples of deadly storms in the recent decade, which have not been predicted until few minutes before they hit. The article reveals that weather service boasts with using "numerical weather modeling," said to be the best scientific achievement of the 20th century, but doesn't event track the accuracy of three-day forecasts.
Tags: tornados; winds; precipitation; storms; snow; blizzards; atmospheric conditions; National Weather Service Storm Prediction; National Hurricane Center; National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration; National Severe Storm Laboratory
-
Blueprint for Trouble
A Sun-Sentinel series investigates "construction problems in the City of Pembroke, one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation" in the aftermath of the Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The investigation has found that "every major subdivision built since 1992 had construction defects, and many of those homes had received city certificates of occupancy even though the city could not prove all inspections had taken place." The series details specific cases of homes with leaking roofs and windows, as well as potential safety problems. "Private home inspectors say they still see many of the same kind of shortcomings throughout South Florida that led to the mass destruction of Andrew." The reporters expose the practice of some city inspectors to spend part of their workdays at parks and fitness centers and focus on problems stemming from haphazard recordkeeping at the city building department.
Tags: FOIA; Hurricane Andrew; safety; building inspections; certificate of occupation; warranty; "lemon law"