Hurricane Chaser: Investigating Water Supply Resilience in the Eye of the Storm

As hurricanes grow stronger and more frequent, securing reliable water supplies for disaster-affected communities is more critical than ever. Dr. Deng’s expertise in water and hurricanes dates back to his postdoctoral research in South Florida in 2005, where he assessed the impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Wilma on hydrologic flows in the Everglades—the largest wetland ecosystem in the U.S. His study was the first scientific investigation of hurricane-driven hydrologic changes in a wetland system globally, advancing understanding of storm-induced environmental shifts.

In 2017, Hurricane Maria, a devastating Category 4 storm, triggered a severe water crisis in Puerto Rico, where Dr. Deng served as a faculty member for three years. The widespread loss of access to clean water drove him to develop innovative, low-cost household water treatment technologies for hurricane-affected populations. These simple yet effective treatments provide promising off-grid water supply solutions, even during prolonged outages caused by storm damage to water supply infrastructure and power systems. His research was later recognized with the Superior Achievement Award by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) in 2019 for its impact on disaster resilience. Building on this work, Dr. Deng further refined the design principles for sustainable household water treatment systems, ensuring their effectiveness in both daily use and emergency situations. In recognition of these advancements, he was honored with the Project Innovation Award (Gold Winner) by the Intenational Water Association (IWA) in 2022.

Through two National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported projects, Dr. Deng has expanded his research to investigate the resilience of water supply infrastructure in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona (2022) and in Florida after the recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton (2024). In collaboration with Dr. Walter Silva at the University of Puerto Rico, his team has employed field-based approaches to collect critical, perishable data, particularly from isolated, small, and disaster-affected communities. Dr. Deng and his student, Lisitai Yang, also introduced an innovative approach to water supply, exploring the use of alternative sources such as stormwater harvesting to support small island residents with limited resources. Their concept was later validated through mathematical modeling, which estimated the feasibility of harvested stormwater in meeting local water demand, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable water solution.

Dr. Deng’s research is shaping the future of hurricane-resilient water supply systems. Through technological innovations, field studies, and strategic partnerships, his work helps communities not only recover but also adapt and thrive in an era of increasing disaster uncertainty.