USGS - science for a changing world

Natural Hazards

Maps, Imagery, and Publications Hazards Newsroom Education Jobs Partnerships Library About USGS Social Media

USGS Science: Before, During and After the Storm

Millions of Americans live in coastal areas, especially in the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, that may be in the direct path of hurricanes this season.

Hurricanes bring destructive winds, storm surge, torrential rain, flooding, and tornadoes. A single storm can wreak havoc on coastal and inland communities on natural areas over thousands of square miles. Recent Atlantic hurricane seasons have been the costliest on record, with losses of $42 billion in 2004 and in the hundreds of billions in 2005.

A major goal of the U.S. Geological Survey is to reduce the vulnerability of the people and areas most at risk from natural hazards. Working with partners throughout all sectors of society, the USGS has initiated specific actions to prepare for the impending hurricane season. Improved monitoring of conditions on the ground from flooding and storm surge, enhanced ability to navigate in a disaster zone, and better assessments of the effect on coastlines and ecology are just a few of the benefits anticipated from these actions.

The USGS provides information, products and knowledge to help build more resilient communities, and strives to keep America safe from natural hazards.

Mark Myers
Director, USGS

collage of hurricane pictures:  scientist taking water samples, rescue operations, and command station.

USGS Has Science That Weathers the Storm

The USGS conducts a wide variety of research and monitoring activities before, during and after the storm including:  geospatial information which is crucial for search and rescue operations, rapid deployment of mobile streamgages, coastal laser mapping, ecological monitoring and wetlands loss.   Learn more

Coastal Impacts
Chandeleur Island, before and after Hurricane Katrina
Satellite Imagery and other Geospatial Data
Image showing New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina.
Ecological Impacts
everglades
Monitoring Streamflow Conditions
Image of real-time water data for the Nation
News Releases
Image representing a news release.
Publications
Photo showing many books in a pile.

NOAA: National Hurricane Center (Atlantic)

  • Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook

    000
    ABNT20 KNHC 302338
    TWOAT
    TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
    NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
    700 PM EST MON NOV 30 2009

    FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...

    TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

    TODAY MARKS THE END OF THE 2009 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON. ISSUANCE
    OF THIS PRODUCT WILL RESUME ON 1 JUNE 2010. SHOULD ANY SIGNIFICANT
    DISTURBANCES DEVELOP DURING THE OFF-SEASON...SPECIAL TROPICAL
    WEATHER OUTLOOKS WOULD BE ISSUED AS NEEDED UNDER THE SAME WMO
    HEADER ABNT20 KNHC...AND AWIPS HEADER MIATWOAT.

    $$
    FORECASTER BERG

  • There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
    No tropical cyclones as of Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:40:04 GMT


NOAA: National Hurricane Center (East Pacific)

  • East Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook

    000
    ABPZ20 KNHC 010507
    TWOEP
    TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
    NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
    1000 PM PST MON NOV 30 2009

    FOR THE EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC...EAST OF 140 DEGREES WEST LONGITUDE..

    TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS.

    TODAY MARKS THE END OF THE 2009 EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC HURRICANE
    SEASON. ISSUANCE OF THIS PRODUCT WILL RESUME ON 15 MAY 2010.
    SHOULD ANY SIGNIFICANT DISTURBANCES DEVELOP DURING THE OFF-
    SEASON...SPECIAL TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOKS WOULD BE ISSUED AS
    NEEDED UNDER THE SAME WMO HEADER ABPZ20 KNHC...AND AWIPS HEADER
    MIATWOEP.

    $$
    FORECASTER BERG

  • There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
    No tropical cyclones as of Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:40:04 GMT


Additional Hurricane Resources

 


USGS Storm Team (password required)

Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America logo USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://www.usgs.gov/hazards/hurricanes/2007/default.asp
Page Contact Information: Ask USGS
Page Last Modified: Friday, October 02, 2009