The Perl and Raku Conference 2024 in Las Vegas

The ADCIRC Surge Guidance System is a portable real-time operational storm surge forecasting framework, forged over 15 Atlantic hurricane seasons, that is used to deliver critical information to emergency managers on federal, state, and local levels in Louisiana, Texas, and North Carolina and within groups such FEMA, NOAA, and DHS. Over the years it has saved millions of dollars in time, property, and emergency assets. It has also likely saved many lives.

This paper discusses its humble origins from a collaboration between LSU and UNC in the early wake of Hurricane Katrina (2005), to its first real test during Hurricane Gustav (2008) and successes over the years. Much of this paper discusses the technical aspects of the system, how the user experience has been tailored for real-time operations, and the technical decisions that have been made leading directly to its success as a robust and adaptable framework.

Most relevant for the intended audience is how using Perl, Bash shell scripting, and standard Unix tools has made all of this possible.