Emergency planners across the United States may soon face uncertainty regarding access to a key hurricane planning tool, according to a recent CNN report.
HURREVAC, a web-based platform used by meteorologists and emergency managers, supports critical decision-making before and during hurricanes. FEMA owns and funds the tool, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers administers it through an interagency agreement. That agreement has not been renewed, which has delayed the contract tied to the system.
Officials within FEMA, along with external meteorologists and the International Association of Emergency Managers, have warned that access to the system could be interrupted in the near term.
HURREVAC allows users to simulate both historical hurricanes and potential future storm scenarios. Emergency planners rely on these simulations to evaluate evacuation timing, storm surge impacts, and response strategies. The system also supports joint training exercises between the National Weather Service and emergency management agencies.
The platform integrates storm surge data through the National Weather Service’s SLOSH modeling tool. Access to that data could also be affected by the same contract lapse.
The timing of the situation coincides with the period when many agencies begin hurricane preparedness training. The 2026 Atlantic hurricane season is about three months away.
Brian LaMarre, a former chief meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Tampa and now a private consultant, said the tool plays a central role in preparedness efforts. He noted that planners use HURREVAC to simulate storms of varying intensity and direction to assess how surge levels and evacuation needs may change across different communities.
The simulations help local officials evaluate evacuation routes, timing, and other logistical factors. These exercises are designed to support decision-making based on both forecast data and historical trends.
In a March 18 statement, the International Association of Emergency Managers said disruption to the tool would limit access to storm surge visualizations, training modules, and transportation modeling. The organization represents more than 6,000 emergency managers nationwide and noted that the current contract was set to run through late March.
A FEMA spokesperson stated that the contract will be extended and that the system remains operational. The agency said there is no interruption in service and emphasized that HURREVAC remains available to emergency management partners.
However, LaMarre said he was not aware of any confirmed extension at the time of reporting.
During hurricane season, officials also use HURREVAC to analyze real-time data. The platform allows users to overlay the hurricane track cone of uncertainty onto local maps, helping planners assess how potential shifts in a storm’s path could affect specific areas.
According to LaMarre, if access to the system is interrupted, it could reduce the time available for training and limit the tools available for interpreting incoming storm data.
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