The hurricane planning tool that meteorologists and emergency managers use for making critical decisions, including ordering evacuations, is about to become inaccessible for an indefinite period following the lapse of the federal contract governing it.
The web-based tool, known as HURREVAC, is owned and paid for by FEMA , but administered by the Army Corps. of Engineers through an interagency agreement. That agreement has not been renewed, holding up the contract as well.
Officials within FEMA, as well as outside meteorologists and the International Association of Emergency Managers, are warning that the situation all but ensures access to the database will be cut off — and soon.
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