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Science that Weathers the Storm: USGS Responds to Hurricane Gustav

USGS Scientific Efforts Science Response Vehicle Ready to Go

The U.S. Geological Survey continues to mobilize equipment and personnel to gather the scientific data and information on the impact of Hurricane Gustav.

USGS scientists will be:

  • Collecting satellite imagery to assess the impact on wetlands, coasts, and changes in the elevation.
  • Collecting water samples to determine the water quality in areas where there has been significant salt water intrusion.
  • Marking and flagging high-water marks to document flooding and storm surge.
  • Repairing and replacing damaged streamgages to restore flood warning capabilities.
  • Collecting aerial photography and video to document the impact on the coast and wetlands.
  • Using airborne laser mapping systems (LIDAR) to quantify coastal changes.

Need more information? View the USGS list of public affairs and state contacts.

Photo of the science response vehicle.The Science Response Vehicle is ready to be deployed from the USGS National Wetlands Research Center in Lafayette, La., in response to the possible landfall of Hurricane Gustav. The vehicle is equipped with computers, software, and plotters to provide mapping of specific data and provides a base of operations for scientific sample collection and field processing.

 
Real-Time Gulf States Storm Surge and Floods Map
Non-real-time water data map

This interactive tool can be used to track storm surge and floods on Google Maps before, during and after the storm.

The map includes data from streamgages within the Gulf states, which is imperative to local, State and Federal officials in order to forecast floods and coordinate flood-response activities in the affected area.

Learn more about the USGS efforts to better understand storm-tide.

 

Satellite Imagery and other Geospatial Data
Image showing New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina. Aerial Photography
Monitoring Streamflow Conditions
Image of real-time water data map.

News Releases and Multimedia
Image representing a news release.
Additional USGS Tropical Storm/Hurricane Information
Photo showing a hurricane formattion from satellite.
Additional Hurricane Resources
Real-Time Flood and High Flow Conditions
Map image of the real-time high flow data map

NOAA: National Hurricane Center (Atlantic)


NOAA: National Hurricane Center (East Pacific)

  • East Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook

    000
    ABPZ20 KNHC 071736
    TWOEP
    TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK
    NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL
    1000 AM PST SAT NOV 7 2009

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

    AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE IS LOCATED ABOUT 100 MILES SOUTH OF THE
    GUATEMALA/EL SALVADOR BORDER. SHOWER AND THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY HAS
    DIMINISHED...AND SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IS NOT EXPECTED DUE TO
    STRONG UPPER-LEVEL WINDS. 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 CANGIALOSI/BLAKE

  • There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
    No tropical cyclones as of Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:50:07 GMT


 

USGS Storm Team (password required)

State Contacts:

If you would like to know more specific information about USGS Hurricane Gustav response activities in your area, please contact the appropriate person listed below.

To accompany USGS crews in the field contact Brian McCallum at 404-375-2505 or bemccall@usgs.gov

Public Affairs Contacts

Change in Emergency Call-in Procedures for USGS Employees

In the event employees are unable to contact their immediate supervisor, they should contact the USGS Emergency Call Center.

Contact information for the USGS Emergency Call Center
· Toll Free: (866) 854-8987
· TTY (hearing or speech impaired): (800) 725-7024
· Reporting via Internet: http://www.lexitelcom.com/USGS/EmployeeCalls.aspx

 

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URL: http://www.usgs.gov/hazards/hurricanes/gustav/default.asp
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Page Last Modified: Friday, October 02, 2009