The deadline to apply for the Fall 2026 Region 6 Public Health Leadership Institute has been extended until Wednesday, July 1, 2026. Those accepted in the Fall 2026 R6-PHLI cohort will be notified by August 1, 2026.

For more information (including eligibility requirements, a sample application, and recording from our R6-PHLI informational webinar, please click here. 

Have questions? Email us!

The 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, is here, and the forecast currently suggests a below-normal season. As of today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), with good confidence, forecasts 8-14 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher). Of those, 3-6 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 1-3 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher). An average season has 14 named storms with seven hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. 

Although environmental conditions are forecast to suppress hurricane development across the Atlantic Hurricane Basin due to the arrival of El Niño weather patterns, uncertainty remains about how each season will unfold. It only takes one storm to make for a very bad season. It’s essential to review your hurricane preparedness plan now. 

Something new this season

Since it was introduced more than 20 years ago, the cone of uncertainty graphic has been consistently misinterpreted by many people, with some incorrectly believing that areas outside the cone are safe from storm threats. Remember, the cone represents the likely path of the center of the storm, which substantially expands the “impact” areas.

To help remedy this misinterpretation, for the 2026 hurricane season, the forecast cone will look much different and include tropical storm and hurricane watches and warnings for inland areas. NOAA said the change follows an experimental phase and is aimed at helping inland and surrounding communities better understand wind risks and further impacts from tropical systems. The cone will resemble the example below for all tropical systems.



We thought it would be important to highlight the new look

in case you have not seen it.

Know Your Risk: Wind and Water

The first step of preparing for hurricanes is to know your risk. 

• Coastal areas are most at risk for extreme winds, power outages, and flooding from rain and storm surge
• Inland areas aren’t necessarily safe - you could experience wind, thunderstorms, flooding, and power outages
• Identify your home’s structural risks. Mobile homes and homes with basements can be especially vulnerable to hurricane hazards
• You may live in a state with designated evacuation zones. Visit your state and county emergency management websites to learn about their plans
• The “cone of uncertainty” is not the impact zone – it is the probable track of the center of a storm. Do not focus on the storm’s exact track, size, or category. Hurricanes are immense systems, and can quickly change in size, intensity, speed, and direction. Additionally, areas far from the storm’s center can experience flooding, storm surge, and high winds

Storms Are Becoming More Intense and Less Predictable

Recent years have taught us that extreme weather conditions are driving more powerful, fast-developing hurricanes, sometimes with less warning time, leaving evacuation strategies, which are time-sensitive, even more strained. We're seeing:

• Rapid intensification near landfall (e.g., Hurricanes Harvey, Ian, Ida)
• Storms moving unpredictably or stalling—causing massive flooding beyond the coastal areas
• Record-setting wind, rain, and storm surge

This means last-minute preparation is often too late.

Personal readiness is now a necessity.

Preparedness Saves Lives

History shows that people with strong personal plans are more likely to:

• Evacuate safely
• Protect critical documents and possessions
• Recover emotionally and financially
• Help others in their community

Being ready means being resilient, especially when systems are stretched thin.

Infrastructure is Aging – And Help Might Not Reach You Immediately

Many communities, especially coastal and rural ones, have aging infrastructure that may not withstand stronger storms and the cascading effects of repeat storm impacts. Roads, utilities, and communication systems may be interrupted or fail, leaving people:

• Isolated for days or weeks
• Without power, water, or emergency services
• Needing to self-sustain until outside help arrives

A strong preparedness plan ensures you’re not relying solely on government or utility responses.

FEMA has Experienced Substantial Downsizing

FEMA faces staffing shortages due to eliminations and budget constraints due to multiple overlapping disasters in recent years—wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and global crises. This has the potential to mean:



• Slower response times
• Fewer immediate resources available to individuals
• More emphasis on state and local governments and personal responsibility

The shift placing a greater response burden on states and locals will be challenging on individuals and communities. You should plan accordingly.

Key Actions You Should Take Now:

• Create or update an emergency kit/bag
• Know your evacuation route, how to read a map, and flooding tendencies along the way
• Have a communication plan with loved ones
• Check your insurance coverage
• Sign up for local alerts

Congratulations to Stacey Eharb, Instructional Designer at the Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center on receiving the Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine’s Wave of Difference Award for June.

This award recognizes a staff member for their presence, hard work, and the positive difference they make in their role. Stacey is a deserving recipient whose contributions to both the Center for Applied Environmental Public Health and the Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center are felt every day. Her positive attitude, creativity, and media expertise help strengthen our work and support the success of countless projects and initiatives.

Congratulations Stacey on this well-deserved honor!

The Region 6 South Central Public Health Training Center and Tulane University will be closed on Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth. During this time, technical support for the Tulane PACE Learning Management System will be extremely limited. If you require assistance, please email us.

"Struggle is a never-ending process. Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation." - Coretta Scott King

Talyia MacLeod is a recent graduate of the Master of Public Health (MPH) program with an Epidemiology concentration at the University of New Mexico College of Population Health. As part of her practicum experience and the Region 6 Public Health Training Center Traineeship, she worked with the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) Enterics Program under the supervision of Sarah Shrum Davis, UNM Emerging Infections Program FoodNet Coordinator and NMDOH Enterics Team Lead. The Practicum is a core graduate course taught by faculty member S. Noell Stone, MPH, UNM COPH Applied Practice Director and New Mexico Region 6 Public Health Training Center Principal Investigator.

During her practicum, she analyzed surveillance data for several parasitic diseases of public health importance in New Mexico, including Cryptosporidiosis, Cyclospora, Giardia, Naegleria fowleri, and Cysticercosis. Using RStudio and epidemiologic methods, she reviewed routine surveillance data to identify disease trends, describe populations at increased risk, and explore factors that may contribute to transmission. She was also able to present the findings of her analysis at the New Mexico Research Symposium, providing an opportunity to share her work with researchers, public health professionals, and fellow students.

This experience provided an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real-world public health practice. She gained hands-on experience with infectious disease surveillance, data management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of epidemiologic findings. In addition, she worked closely with public health professionals and learned how surveillance data are used to guide disease prevention efforts and support evidence-based decision-making.



One of the most valuable aspects of the practicum was gaining insight into the day-to-day work of the Department of Health and the collaborative nature of public health. Through interactions with epidemiologists, healthcare providers, researchers, and community partners, she developed a deeper appreciation for the importance of communication and partnership in protecting community health.

This practicum strengthened her interest in infectious disease epidemiology and demonstrated how surveillance data can be used to improve public health outcomes throughout New Mexico. After earning her degree, she plans to continue her education by applying to a clinical program in New Mexico. Her long-term goal is to integrate clinical practice with public health and work within a governmental agency to improve population health through evidence-based policy and practice.

Course Spotlight:

How is This Still a Thing?

Act Now to End the Crisis of Syphilis & Congenital Syphilis

Course Description:



This course will help students work to end syphilis in communities. Syphilis is a curable bacterial infection. Doctors have been able to cure syphilis since the 1940s. The treatment is penicillin, a well-known antibiotic. Today, syphilis in adults and in babies is a growing problem. Many infected people are not receiving treatment. People living in underserved communities are suffering more than other groups. This course will offer information and raise awareness to stop the growing crisis. 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis 

• Describe the Syphilis Syndemic 

• Write a plan to address Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis 

For more info about this training,

please click here.

Featured Course Bundle:

Louisiana Hurricane

Response Hub (LaHRH)

Course Bundle Description:

The Louisiana Hurricane Response Hub (LaHRH) curriculum was developed by the Louisiana Office of Public Health to provide general guidance and training to the public health workforce, response workers, volunteers, and community members who face hazards that arise after hurricanes and floods occur in Louisiana. The courses will increase awareness, understanding, and preparedness of events and hazards associated with hurricanes and floods in Louisiana communities. 

The 4 courses in this curriculum cover topics related to general safety and health considerations, heat-related illness, private water wells, and mold exposure. Local resources related to Louisiana hurricane preparedness and recovery are provided to strengthen community awareness and resilience.

Trainings in this course bundle include:

• After the Hurricane: Potential Hazards and Disaster Recovery

• Heat-Related Illness - Risk Factors, Types & Prevention

• Mold Exposure and Health Effects

• Protecting Your Private Well Water

For more info about the LaHRH course bundle, please click here.

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