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

NOAA: National Hurricane Center (Atlantic)

Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook
 000 ABNT20 KNHC 042333 TWOAT TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 800 PM EDT SAT JUL 4 2009 FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO... THE SHOWER ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH A NON-TROPICAL AREA OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED ABOUT 800 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES HAS BECOME DISORGANIZED. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE NOT FAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT. THERE IS A LOW CHANCE...LESS THAN 30 PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL OR SUBTROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. $$ FORECASTER AVILA
There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
No tropical cyclones as of Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:01:29 GMT

NOAA: National Hurricane Center (East Pacific)

East Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook
 000 ABPZ20 KNHC 042337 TWOEP TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 500 PM PDT SAT JUL 4 2009 FOR THE EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC...EAST OF 140 DEGREES WEST LONGITUDE.. AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED ABOUT 275 MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF MANZANILLO MEXICO CONTINUES TO BECOME BETTER ORGANIZED...ALTHOUGH THE ASSOCIATED THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY REMAINS LIMITED AND NOT CONCENTRATED NEAR THE CENTER. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE BECOMING MORE FAVORABLE FOR ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS THIS SYSTEM MOVES WEST-NORTHWESTWARD AROUND 10 MPH. THERE IS A MEDIUM CHANCE...30 TO 50 PERCENT...OF THIS SYSTEM BECOMING A TROPICAL CYCLONE DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. ELSEWHERE...TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48 HOURS. $$ FORECASTER BERG
There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
No tropical cyclones as of Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:01:29 GMT