Geotrek

What happens when the natural disasters we once considered “secondary perils” become some of the biggest drivers of insurance losses?On this episode, Hurricane Hal sits down with Kevin Sharp, Chief Risk Officer and Capital Strategy Leader at Victor Insurance and ICAT, for a wide-ranging conversation about catastrophe risk, natural disasters, insurance losses, reinsurance, and the changing global risk landscape.Kevin brings a unique perspective shaped by a lifelong passion for extreme weather and years of experience in catastrophe insurance and risk modeling. Together, Kevin and Hal explore how insurers can better understand and prepare for an increasingly complex disaster landscape.Kevin also shares his personal journey from being a weather-obsessed kid experiencing blizzards, floods, tornadoes, and monsoonal flooding to becoming a leader in the catastrophe insurance industry.If you work in insurance, catastrophe modeling, underwriting, reinsurance, claims, risk management, extreme weather, or disaster preparedness, this episode offers a fascinating bird's-eye view of how today's natural disaster risks are reshaping the insurance landscape.Subscribe to GeoTrek for more conversations about extreme weather, natural disasters, catastrophe risk, and the people working to better understand and prepare for them.#GeoTrek #CatastropheRisk #Insurance #NaturalDisasters #ExtremeWeather #Reinsurance #RiskManagement

What causes a glacial lake outburst flood, and why are these disasters becoming a growing concern in high mountain regions?In this episode of GeoTrek, Hurricane Hal talks with Dr. Alton C. Byers, a mountain geographer, scientist, mountaineer, Senior Fellow at The Mountain Institute, and Senior Research Associate with the High Mountains Adaptation Partnership (HiMAP).The conversation examines the catastrophic August 26, 2026 flood and debris flow near the Nepal-Tibet border and breaks down the chain of events that can turn glacier and permafrost instability into a devastating downstream flood.

Coastal environments are changing, and preparing for the future means more than simply reacting to the next hurricane.In this episode of GeoTrek, Hurricane Hal sits down with Nina Davis, Habitat Resilience Specialist with PLACE and Extension Associate at Mississippi State University, to explore the complex relationship between people, infrastructure, and the natural environments along our coastlines.From living shorelines and storm surge to sea level rise and the often-overlooked threat of saltwater intrusion, Nina explains how communities can use science, local knowledge, and long-term planning to prepare for a changing future.They also discuss why resilience isn't about predicting exactly what will happen; it's about making smarter decisions today that give communities and ecosystems more options tomorrow.In this episode:What coastal resilience really meansHow living shorelines can serve as a first line of defenseThe hidden risks of saltwater intrusionWhy storm surge and sea level rise require long-term planningHow communities can prepare for uncertain futuresWhy working with nature may be key to protecting our coastlinesA fascinating conversation about the future of the Gulf Coast and what resilience looks like when nature, infrastructure, and people all intersect.

When disasters strike, homes and families often receive immediate attention—but how do businesses recover? Gina Spagnola, President and CEO of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, shares how chambers of commerce help businesses rebuild, recover, and get back on their feet after hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, and other disasters.From Hurricane Ike in Galveston to disaster recovery efforts across the United States and internationally, Gina explains the lessons she has learned about business recovery, community resilience, disaster preparedness, and the importance of knowing when—and how—to rebuild.Learn how chambers of commerce can support local businesses after disasters, connect communities with critical resources, and help economies recover when disaster strikes.

When disaster strikes, why do some people prepare while others delay, deny, or freeze?In this episode, Hurricane Hal sits down with Erica Peng, UC Berkeley Haas School of Business lecturer and neuroscience educator, to explore the hidden role that our fight, flight, freeze response plays in disaster preparedness, leadership, and decision-making.Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and her own experience leading wildfire mitigation efforts in a high-risk California community, Erica explains why people often resist taking action—even when they understand the risks—and how communities can overcome those barriers together.In this episode you'll learn:Why the brain naturally resists change and uncertaintyHow fight, flight, freeze affects disaster preparednessWhy education alone often doesn't change behaviorHow Firewise Communities help neighborhoods become more resilientPractical ways to communicate about wildfire risk without triggering defensivenessWhat leaders, emergency managers, insurers, and homeowners can do to build stronger, more prepared communitiesWhether you live in a wildfire zone, hurricane-prone region, floodplain, or simply want to better understand human behavior under stress, this conversation offers practical insights that can improve preparedness and resilience.Guest: Erica PengLecturer, UC Berkeley Haas School of BusinessSpecializing in neuroscience, leadership, crisis communication, and the fight-flight-freeze response

On this episode of GeoTrek, host Hurricane Hal welcomes Laura Myers and Nick Stanley to discuss how we can better protect summer camps and outdoor recreation areas from the growing threat of flash floods.Using the devastating Texas Hill Country tragedy as a case study, they explore the unique risks facing camps located near rivers, canyons, and steep terrain, the role of land-use planning and regulations, and how advanced GIS technology can help identify safer locations and improve emergency planning. The conversation also examines communication between meteorologists, emergency managers, law enforcement, and camp staff, why so many flood fatalities occur in vehicles, and what practical steps can be taken to prevent future tragedies.Whether you're involved in emergency management, weather, outdoor recreation, or disaster resilience, this episode offers valuable insights into protecting lives before, during, and after extreme weather events.