US Senator Mel Martinez has introduced bipartisan legislation to implement a national hurricane research initiative designed to better research, predict and prepare for hurricanes.

Martinez crafted the proposal working from recommendations presented by the National Science Foundation's new draft report entitled, “Hurricane Warning: The Critical Need for a National Hurricane Research Initiative.”

"Hurricanes, by far, cause more economic damage to a more widespread area than any other natural disaster. This bill takes sound, scientific recommendations and builds from them a foundation for better, more coordinated research," said Martinez. "Given the enormous cost associated with hurricanes, we ought to better coordinate research and information about hurricane prediction, observation, the vulnerability of structures and how we might develop better evacuation plans."

The National Hurricane Research Initiative (NHRI) takes the general recommendations of the National Science Board and seeks to coordinate the expertise of the nation's science and engineering capabilities through a multi-agency effort focused on improving a better understanding of hurricane prediction, intensity and mitigation on coastal populations, infrastructure, and the natural environment.

"Florida and other Gulf Coast states have a lot at stake and every hurricane season we have a lot of unknowns. Better, more intense, and more coordinated research can help us better prepare in the future," said Martinez.