NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration prepares for, evaluates, and responds to threats to coastal environments from oil and chemical spills, hazardous waste sites, marine debris, and natural disasters. To fulfill our mission of protecting and restoring NOAA trust resources, OR&R supports and strengthens hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery for more resilient communities and economies.

Nearly 40% of the U.S. population lives in coastal regions, and that number is only expected to increase. In these areas, major storms result in major impacts — from loss of life to economic losses. America’s coastal environments are critical to many industries such as seafood production, tourism, and commercial trade. The 2017 hurricane season was recorded as the most costly in U.S. history, causing more than $200 billion in damages. 

Learn more about how NOAA supports hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery efforts below.