Semester of Graduation

Summer 2025

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geography

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The aim of this research is to develop a climate threat risk assessment scale for galleries, libraries, archives, and museums within the State of Florida. Current research neglects the localized impact of tropical cyclones, inland flash flooding, and exposure to SLR on cultural institutions. Tropical cyclone events bring in flooding, intense wind speeds, and power outages which affect these institutions. Tropical cyclone data from the National Hurricane Center are used to represent historical wind occurrence. Finally, flash flood warning data are used to represent the flooding likelihood in each county. Each threat is assessed individually across Florida counties. The range of possible values forms a total scale, which is then translated into an academic grade (4.0). Each individual grade is then added together to provide a combined threat scale. Understanding how each of these threats exist within a space can better inform these institutions on how to prepare in a changing climate. These institutions often exist in regions where they can act as social hubs post an event like a hurricane where people can go for resources. Understanding their role alongside understanding their risk is incredibly important. This research aims to tackle the risk that these cultural institutions in face of various climate risks

Date

7-16-2025

Committee Chair

Trepanier, Jill

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Available for download on Wednesday, July 15, 2026

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