International Center for Disaster Research (ICDR)

The International Center for Disaster Research (ICDR) was established at OU in 1990 by Professor Yoshi K. Sasaki to address multiple research opportunities and societal needs related to natural and man-made disasters.

ICDR provides an opportunity to forge a natural alliance between academic programs and real world implementation leading to effective disaster preparedness, assessment, mitigation, education, and recovery.

Peter J. Lamb, Director of CIMMS, assumed Directorship of ICDR in November 1994, upon the retirement of Dr. Sasaki, who is Director Emeritus.

Principal interactions to date have been with several Japanese institutes and agencies concerning hurricane/typhoon and mesoscale weather related disasters (wind loading research, flood hazard predictions).

ICDR and CIMMS hosted the November 1994 "U.S.-Japan Workshop on the Technology of Disaster Prevention Against Local Severe Storms", held under the U.S.- Japan Science and Technology Agreement. The primary objective of the Workshop was to develop collaborative research programs in topics of disaster prevention of mutual interest and benefit. Excellent progress is being made toward that objective, and a Proceedings volume for the Workshop will be available for distribution in Spring 1996.