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.

Upper left - Category-4 Hurricane Katrina moving towards the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama on August 28, 2005. (photo credit: NASA Terra Satellite)
Lower left - The eye of Hurricane Isabel as seen from the International Space Station on September 13, 2003 (photo credit: NASA)
Upper right - The remains of this home were washed across the road by waves during Hurricane Ivan. Only the roof and upper floor remains
Middle right - Road Overflow, 09/29/1998 Water flowing over State Highways 15 & 16 near their intersection during September 1998 Flood on Tchoutacabouffa River caused by Hurricane Georges
Lower right - New Orleans, LA, flooding from Hurricane Katrina

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 032347 TWOAT TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 800 PM EDT FRI JUL 3 2009 FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO... A NON-TROPICAL AREA OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED ABOUT 950 MILES SOUTHWEST OF THE AZORES IS PRODUCING MINIMAL SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY TO THE EAST OF ITS CENTER. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN UNFAVORABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM AS IT MOVES EASTWARD NEAR 10 MPH TOWARD COOLER WATERS. 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 BERG
There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
No tropical cyclones as of Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:59:22 GMT

NOAA: National Hurricane Center (East Pacific)

East Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook
 000 ABPZ20 KNHC 032344 TWOEP TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 500 PM PDT FRI JUL 3 2009 FOR THE EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC...EAST OF 140 DEGREES WEST LONGITUDE.. SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE LOCATED SEVERAL HUNDRED MILES SOUTH-SOUTHWEST OF ACAPULCO MEXICO HAS INCREASED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL HOURS. UPPER-LEVEL WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME MORE CONDUCIVE FOR SLOW DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SYSTEM OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS IT MOVES WEST- NORTHWESTWARD AT 5 TO 10 MPH. THERE IS A LOW CHANCE...LESS THAN 30 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 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:59:22 GMT