The National Hurricane Program (NHP) provides data, resources and technical assistance for hurricane evacuation planning and response for state, local, tribal, territorial and federal government partners. Hurricane evacuation and response planning efforts span from steady-state deliberate planning to operational decision support and crisis planning when hurricanes threaten the United States.
In addition to planning efforts, the NHP provides preparedness training, operational tools and risk information to emergency managers to support their hurricane evacuation and response decisions. The National Hurricane Program is a partnership between FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the NOAA National Hurricane Center.
NHP Components
Hurricane Evacuation Studies and Evacuation Planning
Hurricane Evacuation Studies (HES) provide critical planning factors and information that guide hurricane evacuation and response plans. HES assess vulnerability of a population to hurricane threats and provide guidance to local emergency managers for planning an evacuation of the community.
HURREVAC Decision Support Tool
The Hurricane Decision Support Tool (HURREVAC) is a free web-based platform available to government emergency managers that provides evacuation timing guidance. HURREVAC combines real-time National Hurricane Center forecast products and storm surge modeling with evacuation clearance times from Hurricane Evacuation Studies.
Hurricane Liaison Team Operational Decision Support
The FEMA Hurricane Liaison Team (HLT) is the operational component of the NHP. The team facilitates the rapid exchange of forecast and risk information between the National Hurricane Center and the emergency management community. The team assists emergency managers with the application of forecast products, HES, and HURREVAC, during a hurricane threat.
Storm Surge Risk Products
Sea, Lake and Overland Surge from Hurricanes (SLOSH) products identify areas at risk of storm surge flooding from hurricanes. SLOSH modeling and risk products can be used for planning scenarios and operational decision making.
Learn More about SLOSH
Training for Emergency Managers and Partners
The NHP Program conducts a suite of Emergency Management Institute training courses for emergency managers on hurricane preparedness. Training curriculum and instruction are provided by FEMA, USACE and National Hurricane Center staff.
Find Training
Intergovernmental Hurricane Preparedness
The NHP engages intergovernmental stakeholders to coordinate hurricane evacuation planning and response efforts. The Interagency Coordinating Committee on Hurricanes is the primary mechanism for coordinating the NHP’s goals, components, and priorities with the NEMA Hurricane Subcommittee and state, local, tribal and territorial partners.
Post-Storm Assessment
Post-storm assessments can be used to evaluate the accuracy and usefulness of the NHP tools, products and operational support to emergency managers. Assessment results are used to guide future improvements to the NHP.
Technology Development and Integration
Through a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, the National Hurricane Program is developing the next generation HURREVAC decision support tool. The updates will add accessibility, functionality and training capability to HURREVAC.
Learn More about Technology Development and Integration
Additional Resources
View the Building Science library for hurricane publications related to structural safety.
Contact
State, local, tribal and territorial emergency managers should contact their FEMA Regional Hurricane Program Managers for more information. For NHP program partner or FEMA Regional Hurricane Program Manager contact information, additional resources, or questions, contact FEMA’s National Hurricane Program.