Geotrek

Catastrophic floods killed at least 135 people in the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Alex Garcia, Chief Meteorologist at Fox 29 San Antonio, explains the science behind sudden and violent flash floods in this region, and what we can do to reduce loss of life and property in the future.

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Flooding is the most common—and costly—natural disaster in the U.S. So how do you protect your property before the water rises?

Tom Little, President and CEO of Smart Vent Products, LLC, joins Dr. Hal to explain the science and strategy behind wet and dry floodproofing. A Certified Floodplain Manager and longtime educator in resilient design, Tom shares how these methods can drastically reduce flood damage and lower insurance premiums.

💧 Topics covered:

• Wet vs. dry floodproofing: What’s the difference?
• Tips for builders, homeowners, and local officials
• How Smart Vent, Freedom Flood Vent, and Floodproofing.com address the full spectrum of flood protection
• Why investing in mitigation pays off long term

Protect your property—and your wallet—by getting smarter about flood risks.

#Floodproofing #SmartVent #FloodResilience #GeoTrek #FloodInsurance #ClimateAdaptation

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Join “Hurricane Hal” Needham as he sits down with Carl Schneider, insurance agent and co-founder of Smart Home America, for a story that spans continents and communities. Drawing on the ingenuity of his Swiss ancestors and the perspectives they passed down, Carl shares how smarter construction methods—honed in the rebuilding efforts of post-Katrina Mississippi—can safeguard disaster-prone areas and reduce losses where it matters most.

Why you’ll love this episode:

• Discover the lessons Carl learned rebuilding homes after Katrina

• Learn about cutting-edge techniques that make our communities more resilient

• Hear how Smart Home America is changing the game in risk reduction

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Join host Hal Needham as he talks with Meteorologist Robert Speta about the stark differences in preparing for and experiencing tropical cyclones. Speta shares invaluable insights into forecasting and living through powerful typhoons in East Asia, a region renowned for its exceptional disaster preparedness. He also raises critical concerns about hurricane complacency in northeast Florida, where he now resides.

Discover why residents in this area, despite being on the fringe of recent hurricane activity, might be underestimating their risk since the last direct hit from Hurricane Dora in 1964. Tune in for a fascinating global storm perspective and learn essential tips for hurricane preparedness, whether you're in East Asia or Florida!

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How do we protect our past from our future? On the latest GeoTrek, we tackle this crucial question with preservation powerhouse Lisa Craig-Hensley! With over 30 years' experience, Lisa reveals the strategies and innovations for making historic properties, from Annapolis to Lodi, more resilient to climate impacts. Prepare to be inspired.

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Lisa Craig-Hensley is a public policy, planning and preservation professional with more than 30 years' experience collaborating with public and private partners to support and execute the adaptive reuse of historic and strategic properties. Lisa joins us on the GeoTrek podcast to discuss challenges and opportunities to make historic properties more climate resilient, from flood-prone Annapolis, Maryland, to places with enhanced wildfire risk, like Lodi, California.

How does forensic meteorology help protect homeowners and insurers from fraud? In this episode, recorded live at the 2025 Allied Trust Litigation Summit, we sit down with Amy Fail and Ron Ligocki from Allied Trust to explore how advanced weather science is being used in insurance claims investigations.

They share insights on:

• The role of forensic meteorology in detecting fraudulent claims
• How Allied Trust is using data to protect policyholders
• Practical advice for homeowners to avoid contractor scams—like always getting multiple bids

This conversation is packed with expert perspectives on the evolving fight against fraud and how science is leading the charge.

🎧 Available now wherever you listen to podcasts!

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Coastal communities face growing threats from erosion, storms, and rising sea levels—but could nature itself be the key to resilience? In Episode 110 of the GeoTrek Podcast, we explore how living shorelines blend natural and engineered solutions to protect our coasts. Our guest, Ryan Gilbert, a natural resource specialist and project manager with Headway Environmental, shares insights on where these projects work best, their biggest opportunities and challenges, and how they are funded.

Whether you're a coastal resident, an environmental advocate, or simply curious about sustainable solutions, this episode will provide valuable insights on working with nature to safeguard our shores.

🎧 Tune in now on your favorite podcast platform!

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Hailstorms cause billions of dollars in damage each year, but how do we study hail to build stronger homes and communities?

In Episode 109 of the GeoTrek Podcast, we dive into the world of hail research, forensic meteorology, and building science with two incredible guests:

Brenna Meisenzahl – Researcher at the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), leading field studies on hail formation and its impacts on buildings.

Sara Hudson – a Forensic Meteorologist at CNC Catastrophe & National Claims, specializing in storm analysis and severe weather damage assessments.

Together, we explore:

🔬 How scientists simulate hailstorms in a lab

💰 The financial toll of hailstorms and how we can reduce losses

🏠 How building materials and design impact hail damage

🛰️ How forensic meteorologists analyze past storms to assess damage

Check out IBHS here 👉 https://ibhs.org/

Whether you’re a homeowner, insurer, builder, or just fascinated by extreme weather, this episode unlocks the secrets of hail and how science is helping us better prepare!

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In Episode 108 of the GeoTrek Podcast, we explore how extreme winter weather impacts the transportation and logistics industry. From blizzards to icy roads, truck drivers and logistics professionals must navigate unpredictable and often dangerous conditions to keep supply chains moving.

Our guest, Gary Falldin, Senior Director of Industry Solutions at Platform Science, shares expert insights into how technology and best practices help fleets operate safely and efficiently in severe weather.

Join Dr. Hal Needham and Gary as they discuss:

🚛 The biggest winter weather challenges for trucking fleets

❄️ How advanced weather-intelligence technology helps drivers make safer decisions

📦 The impact of extreme weather on delivery deadlines and industry contracts

🌨️ Should truck drivers be required to pass winter driving training?

Whether you're in the transportation industry, love extreme weather stories, or just want to understand how storms affect our global economy, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

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