Step into the eye of the storm—before it’s too late.
Weather the Storm is an immersive virtual reality experience designed to help coastal residents understand the true dangers of hurricanes—without putting their lives at risk. Developed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, this simulation places you inside a coastal home as a major storm approaches, letting you experience the escalating wind, rain, and storm surge firsthand.
Bring “WEATHER THE STORM” to Your Community
This immersive experience is available for community events, schools, training workshops, and emergency preparedness programs. Whether used as a quick awareness tool or as part of a comprehensive education program, the Weather The Storm VR experience and its accompanying modules empower communities with the knowledge to stay safe and resilient.
Tandem Education Materials
For educators and facilitators looking to integrate VR into structured learning sessions. Each module is designed to stand alone or be combined for deeper engagement, ranging from quick 15-minute lessons to half-day workshops.
Every module includes:
An educational video
A self-narrated PowerPoint presentation
Discussion questions
A hands-on activity aligned with key storm surge topics
These modules are designed for community leaders, informal educators, and emergency management professionals who want to lead discussions on hurricane preparedness and resilience. This experience was funded by the NOAA Weather Program Office under award #NA21OAR4590216-T1-01.
Training Modules
Introduction to Hurricanes
Understand hurricane formation, intensity, and how storm surge develops.Hurricane Risks and Changing Conditions
Explore the factors that increase hurricane risks, including climate change and urban development.Short-Term Hurricane Preparation
Learn essential steps to safeguard homes and communities before a storm hits.Resilience to Hurricanes
Discover long-term strategies for building hurricane-resilient communities.Post-Hurricane Recovery
Navigate the aftermath of hurricanes, from emergency response to long-term recovery efforts.
Hurricane VR Experiences
Short Demo Experience (1 min 40 sec) – Ideal for high-traffic events, providing a brief but impactful awareness of hurricane threats.
Full VR Experience – Part 1 & Part 2 – Designed for those with more time to engage, these sections allow for a deeper exploration of storm surge risks and community preparedness.
How to Download and Install an APK
In this video, we explain what an APK file is and how to safely download one for your Quest 2 or Quest 3 headset. You'll learn:
• How we send APK files
• Steps to download the file to your computer
• Important security considerations when downloading APKs
How to Enable Developer Mode
Want to unlock advanced features on your Meta Quest 2 or 3 headset? In this video, we walk you through how to enable Developer Mode, step by step. Steps covered:
• Log in to dashboard.oculus.com with your Meta account
• Use the Meta Horizon app to enable Developer Mode
• Restart your Quest headset to activate Developer Mode
• Troubleshooting tips for keeping Developer Mode enabled
How to Sideload Apps Using SideQuest
Want to install custom apps on your Meta Quest 2 or Quest 3? This guide walks you through sideloading APKs using SideQuest step by step. Steps covered:
• Download and install SideQuest from sidequestvr.com
• Connect your Quest headset to your computer via USB-C
• Use SideQuest to install APKs onto your device
• Find and launch sideloaded apps under "Unknown Sources"
RESEARCH Partners
Previous Coverage
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Have you ever experienced a storm surge? A new virtual reality simulation funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration brings the life-threatening hurricane phenomenon to life — and shows how quickly rising waters can threaten lives and structures.
The simulation, “Weather the Storm,” was created by the University of Georgia and Clemson University in conjunction with NOAA’s Weather Program Office, Georgia Sea Grant and South Carolina Sea Grant to improve storm surge preparedness.
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May 13, 2024
Hurricane season is upon us, and the Southeast is bracing for a busy season of severe storms. Grace Ahn, a professor in UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, has spent the past several years developing federally funded virtual reality technology that lets coastal residents experience the life-threatening devastation caused by hurricanes and other severe weather.
Her goal: convince these residents to be ready for a real storm surge before it strikes.
Professor Ahn talks about this technological breakthrough with WUGA’s Greg Trevor in the latest episode of our new series, “A Few Minutes With …” exploring UGA initiatives and their broad benefits to the state of Georgia and beyond.
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November 19, 2022
Researchers at the University of Georgia are hoping the metaverse will help save lives when it comes to a real disaster.
The university is testing a simulated hurricane with residents on Georgia’s coast.
The goal is to allow people to see the dangerous effects of a storm such as wind, rain and storm surge without risking their lives. Then, in the event of a real evacuation homeowners would be more willing to respond.
Dr. Sun Joo ‘Grace’ Ahn is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia. Her team is working on the simulation and study called, “Hurricane World.”
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October 22, 2021
Sun Joo “Grace” Ahn and a team of researchers are recipients of a nearly $500,000 grant funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.
The grant will fund a project called “Salient, Interactive, Relevant, Confidence, and Action (SIRCA): Using Virtual Reality Storm Surge Simulations to Increase Risk Perception and Prevention Behaviors.”
The project uses VR to better communicate and educate the risks of storm surge and climate change among coastal residents of Georgia and South Carolina.