Philippines typhoon: Simulated storm surge maps pinpointed risk zones

New modeling maps have been developed by Project NOAH, a government agency that looks to find innovate ways to technology to help one the world’s most disaster-prone nations better prepare for calamities such as earthquakes, volcanos and landslides, as well as the 20 or so typhoons which careen through the archipelago each year.

"While the technology might be helpful, the trick, some officials privately say, is to get local leaders on the ground in vulnerable areas to pay attention to all the disaster planning resources at their disposal," writes James Hookway in the Wall Street Journal.