The average number of flooding disaster declarations or severe storms in Alaska has increased from one to four and a half a year, according to state of Alaska coastal hazards program manager Jacquelyn Overbeck. To help understand why this is happening, the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys will host a two-year scientific fellowship focused on helping rural Alaska study and deal with frequent flooding.
Applications will be accepted until Jan. 19 for the Anchorage-based fellowship, which starts in August 2018 and is open to all postgraduate students. Fellows will use existing data, online mapping tools and partnerships to develop a flood forecast and catalog mapping tool. Fellows will provide rural coastal communities with guidance on flood impact levels and support ongoing community-based monitoring efforts. It is one of three Digital Coast fellowships awarded nationally this year.
“We are working with many partners to establish the monitoring, maps and forecasting needed by communities to plan and prepare for these events. This fellowship provides an opportunity to boost our efforts,” Overbeck said.
The Department of Natural Resources secured federal funding for the fellowship through the National States Geographic Information Council. The fellowship is administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Alaska Sea Grant will accept applications. For eligibility requirements and information on how to apply, go to http://coast.noaa.gov/fellowship.
