With the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Maria coming up next year, researchers continue to study not only the hurricane itself but also the effects of the storm on Puerto Rico, the local and federal response, and the progress of rebuilding after the destruction. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is one of the agencies involved in the research.
The NIST investigation
NIST began their investigation in 2018, with the goal of learning important facts about hurricanes and their effects on infrastructure. “The goal of this effort,” they wrote, “is to make recommendations to improve building codes, standards and practices to make communities more resilient to hurricanes and other disasters – not just in Puerto Rico but across the U.S.”
NIST’s research has involved many different kinds of studies, from wind tunnel tests to develop a model of the hurricane wind-field to site visits and interviews at hospitals to learn more about how damaged buildings and infrastructure influenced injuries and deaths. They have also conducted surveys of households, schools, and businesses to explore and analyze social factors as well as engineering and emergency response.
They produced a report in 2021, as well as the video update shown below in 2025.
They have completed multiple projects referenced in the updates, with practical recommendations to help keep people across the nation safer in case of disaster.
Next steps
Now, NIST is preparing a documentary which can share their findings and recommendations with decision makers and ordinary citizens. For this project, they hope to gather photos and videos people captured during Hurricane Maria and throughout the recovery efforts. They also want to see images and footage of preparations made before the storm.
“We want to highlight the resilience of Puerto Ricans throughout this disaster and the long recovery afterwards.,” a representative posted at Facebook. “We are seeking photos and videos captured before, during, and after Hurricane Maria, including footage that documents the preparations before the storm, the storm, its impacts, and the events and challenges experienced by communities in Puerto Rico in the years that followed”
If you have photos or videos to share, please submit them through the NIST Disaster and Failure Studies Portal.
Photo courtesy of NIST
