Hurricane Emergency Management
This project tackles the urgent need for a hurricane preparedness system for SCAD’s off-campus graduate students in Savannah. Frequent storms disrupt living conditions, resources, and academics, exposing gaps in evacuation assistance, communication, and essential supplies. Students also need clearer guidance and mental health support.
We aim to design a proactive, student-centered system that enhances resilience, safety, and alignment with SCAD’s emergency protocols.
Roles
UX Research
Design Systems
Business Strategy (Costing & ROI)
Team
Isha Deosthali
Saloni Sheth
Ishita Banati
Mahika Joshi
This project addresses the critical need for a robust hurricane preparedness system at SCAD, focusing on off-campus graduate students in Savannah. Frequent tropical storms disrupt living conditions, access to resources, and academic routines, highlighting gaps in evacuation assistance, communication, and essential supplies.
Students have also expressed a need for clearer guidance and mental health support during these events. Our goal is to design a proactive, student-centered system that fosters resilience, aligns with existing emergency protocols, and enhances safety and support within the SCAD community.
To design innovative, human-centred solutions that enhance SCAD’s hurricane preparedness, focusing on improving communication, resource accessibility, and community resilience to effectively address the unique challenges faced by off-campus graduate students during emergencies.
Closures in retail, tourism, and hospitality sectors, combined with supply chain delays and property damage reduce local revenue and drive up repair costs and insurance claims.
Flooded roads and power outages from hurricanes hinder transportation, delay services, and disrupt utilities like water and sewage, significantly impacting daily life, business operations, and repair costs.
Frequent hurricanes drive up insurance premiums and reduce coverage options, while flood risks deter buyers and investors, leading to fluctuating real estate prices and reduced demand in high-risk areas.
Hurricanes in Savannah trigger evacuations, disrupt life, cause flooding, damage ecosystems, and pose health risks from contaminated water, diseases, and debris.
Local governments and federal agencies like FEMA coordinate hurricane preparedness, evacuation, and disaster relief, providing vital resources for swift recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Off Campus Students of SCAD face unique challenges during hurricanes, requiring tailored emergency strategies to address their needs outside university housing. SCAD emphasizes the importance of personal evacuation plans, such as coordinating with friends or family or using personal vehicles when possible. Students are encouraged to pack essentials like medications, vital documents, clothing, and emergency supplies to ensure safety and sustainability during evacuations. Additionally, SCAD urges off-campus students to stay informed by monitoring weather updates and maintaining open communication with local authorities. Establishing a network of peers to share resources and information can further enhance preparedness. These measures are crucial to bridging the gap between centralized university resources and the specific needs of off-campus students, fostering a resilient community.
This stakeholder mapping infographic visualizes the network of entities involved in the current hurricane management system at SCAD, centering on the safety of off-campus graduate students. At the core, the "User" represents these students. Surrounding them are Primary Stakeholders—directly involved in emergency response. Moving outward, the Secondary Stakeholders provide essential support and resources. Finally, Tertiary Stakeholders encompass broader, yet influential, entities offering extended support for recovery and resilience beyond immediate needs.
This phase involved a survey aimed at assessing students' awareness and preparedness for hurricanes, along with their satisfaction with SCAD’s communication and emergency services. The goal was to gather data on students' knowledge of hurricane threats, the timeliness of SCAD's notifications, and access to essential services like food, water, and shelter.
This phase consisted of a focus group to gather qualitative insights into the challenges faced. The objective was to explore students' coping strategies, the effectiveness of SCAD’s response, improvements for emergency support, and mental health resources. It also aimed to understand the unique needs of international students unfamiliar with hurricane preparedness.
The third phase involved an interview with SCAD Security Officer, Mr. James, to gain a deeper understanding of the logistical challenges faced by the university during hurricanes. The objective of the interview was to explore SCAD’s emergency response protocols, including evacuation procedures, transportation logistics, and the availability of resources such as backup power and shelters.
We conducted a survey and gathered 30 responses from off-campus students impacted by the recent hurricane.
Off Campus Graduate Students of SCAD, Savannah
We sent out the surveys to the students who are living off-campus, are graduate students and are currently living in Savannah.
The objective of the study is to assess the impact of the hurricane on off-campus students, focusing on disruptions to their living conditions, access to resources, academic performance, and mental
health, to identify areas where additional support may be needed.
This survey captures SCAD off-campus graduate students' experiences with hurricane preparedness, focusing on awareness, SCAD notifications, resource access, and overall satisfaction with services. The results reveal both effective areas and key improvement needs, especially in resource accessibility and logistics
We conducted a focus group where the conversation revolved around the experiences of seven graduate students at SCAD during Hurricane Helene.
Improve pre-storm awareness through accessible information, cultural-specific guidance for international students, and comprehensive preparedness resources, including mental health support, emergency checklists, and regular drills.
Address critical needs such as transportation, emergency shelters, food, water, Wi-Fi, and stronger infrastructure to mitigate storm impacts, alongside recovery resources like insurance claims and academic flexibility.
Foster community support through student ambassadors, feedback mechanisms, and collaboration with local authorities, ensuring student involvement in emergency response planning.
SCAD security provides frequent storm alerts through a centralized platform, though clearer guidance on safe locations and available resources is needed for improved preparedness.
Certain SCAD buildings are designated as emergency shelters, with security ensuring their safety, though some buildings with power and resources may not always be accessible during storms.
SCAD security collaborates with transportation services to adjust routes during storms and ensures infrastructure safety post-hurricane, working with other departments to restore essential services quickly.
SCAD Savannah experiences frequent hurricanes that pose significant risks to student safety, especially for graduate students living off-campus. Although the university collaborates with local authorities, sends alerts via email and SMS, and provides limited assistance, there remains a critical gap in off-campus students' preparedness and access to resources during hurricane events. This project aims to develop an emergency kit and a user-friendly mobile app to enhance personal safety and preparedness, helping students stay informed, equipped, and responsive to hurricane threats.
Improving the emergency preparedness through introduction of a newly designed Safety Emergency Kit tailored for incoming graduate students.
Strengthening Community Resilience by redesigning a multifaceted safety community forum for all off-campus Graduate students.
The conceptual center of SCAD’s hurricane management system, “Enhancing Personal Safety” serves as the core principle guiding all initiatives to improve preparedness, response, and support for all off-campus graduate students, during hurricanes.
Introducing proactive hurricane preparedness and student-centred emergency management initiatives to enhance safety, resilience, and a sense of community among students.
Providing students with an Emergency Hurricane Kit & manual to foster self-reliance and confidence during hurricane season.
A SCAD platform promotes peer support and collaboration to address challenges like power outages and transport during emergencies.
These solutions enhance existing safety protocols, creating a more comprehensive, student-driven emergency response.
Emergency Hurricane Student Kit:
Develop a Student Kit equipped with essential supplies to help students prepare for Georgia's hurricane season, including a detailed manual outlining safety protocols and preparation steps.
SCAD Community Platform:
Connecting students for addressing grievances, ensuring safety, facilitating coordination and collaboration during emergencies, such as power outages, water and food shortages, shelter needs, and transportation issues.
These are influential figures who
can shape attitudes and behavior in the community.
These individuals are driving the preparedness initiative, educating and encouraging adoption.
Senior students who are actively engaged in campus activities and have a strong social presence.
SCAD faculty members or staff members involved in student welfare, particularly those connected to student life or emergency response.
Graduate student organization leaders who communicate frequently with peers.
SCAD Administration: Staff in departments like student affairs, emergency management, or security.
Savannah Local Authorities: City emergency response officials, police, or road safety officers who coordinate with SCAD for emergencies.
Emergency Preparedness Consultants (if SCAD partners with external experts to train and inform students).
The BeeGuard DIY Hurricane Emergency Kit is crafted to equip SCAD students with essential supplies and tools to stay prepared and secure during a hurricane. While SCAD provides certain core items, this kit encourages students to customize it with additional essentials based on their individual needs. Each student is responsible for adding specific items to ensure they have everything necessary for a safe evacuation or shelter-in-place experience.

List of Items
1. Non-Perishable Food and Water: Enough to sustain students for several days, ensuring they have sufficient nutrition and hydration.

2. First Aid Supplies: Basic medical items for minor injuries, including bandages, antiseptics, and pain relievers.

3. Flashlights and Extra Batteries: Critical for power outages, offering light and helping with navigation in dark areas.

4. Portable Charger: A backup power source to keep devices charged and maintain communication.
5. Hygiene Products: Basic toiletries to uphold cleanliness and comfort during an emergency.

6. Whistle: A signaling device to alert others in case of immediate danger or for rescue.

7. Blankets and Warm Clothing: To ensure warmth and comfort in potentially cold or damp conditions.

8. Special Health Items: Include any personal medications, medical equipment, or health-related essentials.

9. Important Documents: Copies of identification, insurance, and other vital paperwork in a waterproof container.

10. SCAD’s Preparedness Guide: A manual covering hurricane preparedness, personal emergency planning, and SCAD’s evacuation protocols.

The BeeGuard kit goes beyond basic supplies—it's a customized safety resource to help students navigate emergencies with confidence.
The SCAD Community Platform is an app designed to enhance communication and support during crises, allowing students to report issues like utility loss or safety concerns. It provides a centralized space for safety coordination, sharing resources, carpooling, and shelter options. The app also enables students to volunteer, organize activities, and receive real-time updates on safety protocols, shelter availability, and recovery efforts, fostering a connected, resilient community.
The SCAD Community Platform's Handy Emergency Kit “BeeGuard” is designed to ensure essential resources and communication tools are available for students during campus crises or disruptions. This kit includes key items that support immediate crisis response, safety coordination, resource accessibility, and secure mobility, aligning with the platform's mission to enhance resilience and student support.
This cost sheet outlines a streamlined emergency kit for students, promoting resilience through reliable access to essential tools and resources. Each item plays a key role in enhancing campus safety and readiness, reflecting the SCAD Community Platform’s mission of empowering students to navigate emergencies effectively.
The primary return for SCAD is in the form of:
Enhanced Student Safety and Well-being: This initiative reinforces SCAD’s commitment to student welfare, which can improve retention and attract new students who value an institution that prioritizes their safety.
Institutional Reputation: SCAD would be seen as proactive and responsible in disaster preparedness, likely enhancing its reputation among prospective students, parents, and within the community.
Community Loyalty and Trust: Offering a resource that goes beyond academic support fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty among students, which can translate to positive alumni relations and long-term support.
Non - Monetary ROI
SCAD as an institution would likely invest a set amount to cover the initial stock of items needed to assemble the kits. A starting investment of around $10,000 - $20,000 could allow SCAD to create a reasonable quantity of kits to be offered at different price tiers for the students. This budget could also account for initial app development costs for the BeeNetwork platform.
Monetary ROI
While SCAD may choose to subsidize these kits or provide them at cost, there’s potential for a small profit margin if students are charged slightly above the investment price. Selling the kits at the stated prices could help offset costs, covering not just the kits but the app’s development and ongoing maintenance.
Our group of four pitched innovative solutions, Bee Network and Bee Guard, to SCAD Safety and SCAD Cares through an interactive, news-style presentation. We began by recounting SCAD students’ experiences during Hurricane Helene to build empathy and highlight the need for action. Framed as change agents and opinion leaders, we detailed our hurricane preparedness plan, showcasing a mock safety kit, app prototype, vlog, safety checklist, and preparedness manual. We presented a clear budget and ROI analysis, emphasizing how this initiative enhances student safety and reinforces SCAD’s commitment to proactive emergency management.
The project emphasized designing solutions for SCAD’s hurricane preparedness by integrating empathy and practicality, grounded in real student needs through survey data.
We developed skills in stakeholder mapping, needs assessment, and teamwork, recognizing the value of diverse perspectives in crafting comprehensive solutions.
Designing the Emergency Hurricane Kit taught us to prioritize simplicity and usability, ensuring our solutions were adaptable and effective in high-stress emergency situations.