Hurricane Sandy made a variety of impacts along the highly populated northeastern Atlantic seaboard in October 2012. Improved understanding of these impacts will better prepare us for the next one. As a result the USGS science provides a strong foundation for decision makers, planners and resource managers.
Research Themes
USGS scientists are working to assess forecast effectiveness, improve how we share information, and identify gaps to improve the information and tools we provide.
Over 160 of our scientists, technicians, and specialists responded to Hurricane Sandy by deploying field equipment and capturing information both before and after the storm. The USGS Sandy Science Plan identifies major research themes that support recovery activities as well as develop tools that prepare us for the future.
- Coastal Elevation Data and Mapping - Assess and evaluate coastal vulnerability and hazards.
- Understanding Coastal Change - Understanding changes to our coastlines over both short and long periods of time.
- Coastal Hydrology and Storm Surge - Developing a storm tide monitoring network and data analysis capability.
- Environmental Quality and Contaminants - Floodwaters and inundation in urban environments have the potential to coastal and aquatic environments to contaminants.
- Coastal Ecosystem Impacts - Documenting and evaluating impacts on coastal ecosystems.
Storm Readiness
USGS provides data and tools to support the Nation’s preparedness and ability to respond to and recover from natural hazard events. Funds provided through the Congressional Sandy Supplemental Appropriation support USGS in enhancing many data display tools and data delivery mechanisms. These datasets and products are being produced across the Science Themes to meet the needs of emergency managers, planners, engineers, and scientists.
Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
SWaTH consists of 71 existing and new flood-hardened, real-time telemetered tide gages, 61 RDGs (Rapidly deployable real-time gages), and up to 555 temporary STSs (mobile Storm Tide Sensors). The STSs will be deployed in three distinct but integrated network configurations consisting of (1) a distributed array of stations representing the range of landscape types and infrastructure subject to surge and wave forces, (2) along transects from the coastline through the inland resource of concern (e.g. a wetland or coastal community), and (3) at existing tide and river monitoring stations where new data can be integrated with long-term records.
Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliancy and Response (SCoRR)
As part of the US Geological Survey (USGS) response to Hurricane Sandy, a Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) strategy has been developed to define baseline and post-event sediment-bound environmental health stressors. This strategy will be demonstrated as a pilot study in the Northeastern US. The SCoRR strategy utilizes a tiered, multi-metric approach to:
- Identify and map contaminant sources and potential exposure pathways for human and ecological receptors,
- Define the baseline mixtures of EH stressors present in sediments (Resilience Mode),
- Document post-event changes in EH stressors present in sediments (Response Mode), and
- Establish and apply metrics to quantify changes in coastal resilience associated with sediment-bound contaminants.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Barnegat Bay Restoration Science
New Jersey Coastal Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Coastal Storm Response Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) Strategy
Below are publications associated with this project.
Hurricane Sandy washover deposits on southern Long Beach Island, New Jersey
The impact of onsite wastewater disposal systems on groundwater in areas inundated by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey
Regional variability in bed-sediment concentrations of wastewater compounds, hormones and PAHs for portions of coastal New York and New Jersey impacted by hurricane Sandy
Resetting the bar: Establishing baselines for persistent contaminants after Hurricane Sandy in the coastal environments of New Jersey and New York, USA
Regional assessment of persistent organic pollutants in resident mussels from New Jersey and New York estuaries following Hurricane Sandy
Sediment chemistry and toxicity in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey: Pre- and post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012–13
Radar and optical mapping of surge persistence and marsh dieback along the New Jersey Mid-Atlantic coast after Hurricane Sandy
Young of the year bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) as a bioindicator of estuarine health: Establishing a new baseline for persistent organic pollutants after Hurricane Sandy for selected estuaries in New Jersey and New York
Back-Island and Open-Ocean Shorelines, and Sand Areas of the Undeveloped Areas of New Jersey Barrier Islands, March 9, 1991, to July 30, 2013
Chemical and ancillary data associated with bed sediment, young of year Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) tissue, and mussel (Mytilus edulis and Geukensia demissa) tissue collected after Hurricane Sandy in bays and estuaries of New
EAARL-B submerged topography: Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, pre-Hurricane Sandy, 2012
EAARL-B submerged topography: Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012-2013
- Overview
Hurricane Sandy made a variety of impacts along the highly populated northeastern Atlantic seaboard in October 2012. Improved understanding of these impacts will better prepare us for the next one. As a result the USGS science provides a strong foundation for decision makers, planners and resource managers.
Research ThemesUSGS scientists are working to assess forecast effectiveness, improve how we share information, and identify gaps to improve the information and tools we provide.
Over 160 of our scientists, technicians, and specialists responded to Hurricane Sandy by deploying field equipment and capturing information both before and after the storm. The USGS Sandy Science Plan identifies major research themes that support recovery activities as well as develop tools that prepare us for the future.
- Coastal Elevation Data and Mapping - Assess and evaluate coastal vulnerability and hazards.
- Understanding Coastal Change - Understanding changes to our coastlines over both short and long periods of time.
- Coastal Hydrology and Storm Surge - Developing a storm tide monitoring network and data analysis capability.
- Environmental Quality and Contaminants - Floodwaters and inundation in urban environments have the potential to coastal and aquatic environments to contaminants.
- Coastal Ecosystem Impacts - Documenting and evaluating impacts on coastal ecosystems.
Storm Readiness
USGS provides data and tools to support the Nation’s preparedness and ability to respond to and recover from natural hazard events. Funds provided through the Congressional Sandy Supplemental Appropriation support USGS in enhancing many data display tools and data delivery mechanisms. These datasets and products are being produced across the Science Themes to meet the needs of emergency managers, planners, engineers, and scientists.
Temporary storm surge sensor condition being recorded before retrieval following Hurricane Sandy Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
SWaTH consists of 71 existing and new flood-hardened, real-time telemetered tide gages, 61 RDGs (Rapidly deployable real-time gages), and up to 555 temporary STSs (mobile Storm Tide Sensors). The STSs will be deployed in three distinct but integrated network configurations consisting of (1) a distributed array of stations representing the range of landscape types and infrastructure subject to surge and wave forces, (2) along transects from the coastline through the inland resource of concern (e.g. a wetland or coastal community), and (3) at existing tide and river monitoring stations where new data can be integrated with long-term records.
Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliancy and Response (SCoRR)
As part of the US Geological Survey (USGS) response to Hurricane Sandy, a Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) strategy has been developed to define baseline and post-event sediment-bound environmental health stressors. This strategy will be demonstrated as a pilot study in the Northeastern US. The SCoRR strategy utilizes a tiered, multi-metric approach to:
- Identify and map contaminant sources and potential exposure pathways for human and ecological receptors,
- Define the baseline mixtures of EH stressors present in sediments (Resilience Mode),
- Document post-event changes in EH stressors present in sediments (Response Mode), and
- Establish and apply metrics to quantify changes in coastal resilience associated with sediment-bound contaminants.
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Barnegat Bay Restoration Science
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) and other partners, is conducting an extensive, coordinated study of physical, chemical, and biological processes in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor estuary. The study integrates findings of teams from the USGS New Jersey Water Science Center and USGS Coastal and Marine Science...New Jersey Coastal Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Following Hurricane Sandy, the USGS began construction of an overland Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network along the Northeastern Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Maine. This network, developed collaboratively with numerous partners, features the integration of long-term tide gage networks, with real-time rapid-deployment gages (RDG) and mobile storm-tide sensors (STS). An...Coastal Storm Response Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Following Hurricane Sandy, the USGS began construction of an overland Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network along the Northeastern Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to Maine. This network, developed collaboratively with numerous partners, features the integration of long-term tide gage networks, with real-time rapid-deployment gages (RDG) and mobile storm-tide sensors (STS). An elemSediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) Strategy
The U.S. Geological Survey's Strategy to Evaluate Persistent Contaminant Hazards Resulting from Sea Level Rise and Storm-derived Disturbances SCoRR: Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response Strategy Project Page Natural and anthropogenic contaminants, pathogens, and viruses are found in soils and sediments throughout the United States. Enhanced dispersion and concentration of these - Multimedia
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 22Hurricane Sandy washover deposits on southern Long Beach Island, New Jersey
Sedimentologic and topographic data from Hurricane Sandy washover deposits were collected from southern Long Beach Island, New Jersey, in order to document changes to the barrier-island beaches, dunes, and coastal wetlands caused by Hurricane Sandy and subsequent storm events. These data will provide a baseline dataset for use in future coastal change descriptive and predictive studies and assessmAuthorsJames M. Bishop, Bruce M. Richmond, Nicholas J. Zaremba, Brent D. Lunghino, Haunani H. KaneThe impact of onsite wastewater disposal systems on groundwater in areas inundated by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey
Coastal onsite wastewater disposal systems (OWDS) were inundated by Hurricane Sandy's storm tide. This study compares the shallow groundwater quality (nutrients, pharmaceuticals, and hormones) downgradient of OWDS before and after Hurricane Sandy, where available, and establishes a baseline for wastewater influence on groundwater in coastal communities inundated by Hurricane Sandy. Nutrients and cAuthorsIrene Fisher, Patrick J. Phillips, Kaitlyn Colella, Shawn C. Fisher, Tristen N. Tagliaferri, William T. Foreman, Edward T. FurlongRegional variability in bed-sediment concentrations of wastewater compounds, hormones and PAHs for portions of coastal New York and New Jersey impacted by hurricane Sandy
Bed sediment samples from 79 coastal New York and New Jersey, USA sites were analyzed for 75 compounds including wastewater associated contaminants, PAHs, and other organic compounds to assess the post-Hurricane Sandy distribution of organic contaminants among six regions. These results provide the first assessment of wastewater compounds, hormones, and PAHs in bed sediment for this region. ConcenAuthorsPatrick J. Phillips, Cathy A Gibson, Shawn C. Fisher, Irene Fisher, Timothy J. Reilly, Kelly L. Smalling, Kristin M. Romanok, William T. Foreman, Rhiannon C. ReVello, Michael J. Focazio, Daniel JonesResetting the bar: Establishing baselines for persistent contaminants after Hurricane Sandy in the coastal environments of New Jersey and New York, USA
In the immediate aftermath of natural disasters, public health officials and other first responders engage in many activities to protect the public and ecosystems in the affected area. These activities include critical tasks designed to minimize adverse consequences resulting from chemical and microbial contaminant exposures, such as acute disease incidence and transmission. However, once these urAuthorsTimothy J. Reilly, Michael J. Focazio, Dale L. SimmonsRegional assessment of persistent organic pollutants in resident mussels from New Jersey and New York estuaries following Hurricane Sandy
Resident mussels are effective indicators of ecosystem health and have been utilized in national assessment and monitoring studies for over two decades. Mussels were chosen because contaminant concentrations in their tissues respond to changes in ambient environmental levels, accumulation occurs with little metabolic transformation and a substantial amount of historic data were available. MusselsAuthorsKelly L. Smalling, Ashok D. Deshpande, Heather S. Galbraith, Beth Sharack, DeMond Timmons, Ronald J. BakerSediment chemistry and toxicity in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey: Pre- and post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012–13
Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Barnegat Bay, October, 29, 2012, damaging shorelines and infrastructure. Estuarine sediment chemistry and toxicity were investigated before and after to evaluate potential environmental health impacts and to establish post-event baseline sediment-quality conditions. Trace element concentrations increased throughout Barnegat Bay up to two orders of magnitude, especiAuthorsKristin M. Romanok, Zoltan Szabo, Timothy J. Reilly, Zafer Defne, Neil K. GanjuRadar and optical mapping of surge persistence and marsh dieback along the New Jersey Mid-Atlantic coast after Hurricane Sandy
This study combined a radar-based time series of Hurricane Sandy surge and estimated persistence with optical sensor-based marsh condition change to assess potential causal linkages of surge persistence and marsh condition change along the New Jersey Atlantic Ocean coast. Results based on processed TerraSAR-X and COSMO-SkyMed synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images indicated that surge flooding persAuthorsAmina Rangoonwala, Nicholas M. Enwright, Elijah W. Ramsey, Joseph P. SpruceYoung of the year bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) as a bioindicator of estuarine health: Establishing a new baseline for persistent organic pollutants after Hurricane Sandy for selected estuaries in New Jersey and New York
Atlantic coastal bays of the US are essential habitat for young of year bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix). Their residence in these estuaries during critical life stages, high lipid content, and piscivory make bluefish an ideal bioindicator species for evaluating estuarine health. Individual whole fish from four estuaries impacted by Hurricane Sandy were collected in August 2013, analyzed for a suiteAuthorsKelly L. Smalling, Ashok D. Deshpande, Vicki S. Blazer, Bruce W Dockum, DeMond Timmons, Beth L. Sharack, Ronald J. Baker, Jennifer Samson, Timothy J. ReillyBack-Island and Open-Ocean Shorelines, and Sand Areas of the Undeveloped Areas of New Jersey Barrier Islands, March 9, 1991, to July 30, 2013
Assessing the physical change to shorelines and wetlands is critical for determining the resiliency of wetland systems that protect adjacent habitat and communities. The wetland and back-barrier shorelines of the New Jersey barrier islands were changed by wave action and storm surge from Hurricane Sandy in 2012. The U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Geology Program is assessing the impactAuthorsKristy K. GuyChemical and ancillary data associated with bed sediment, young of year Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) tissue, and mussel (Mytilus edulis and Geukensia demissa) tissue collected after Hurricane Sandy in bays and estuaries of New
This report describes the methods and data associated with a reconnaissance study of young of year bluefish and mussel tissue samples as well as bed sediment collected as bluefish habitat indicators during August 2013–April 2014 in New Jersey and New York following Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. This study was funded by the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 (PL 113-2) and was conductedAuthorsKelly L. Smalling, Ashok D. Deshpande, Vicki Blazer, Heather S. Galbraith, Bruce W. Dockum, Kristin M. Romanok, Kaitlyn Colella, Anna C. Deetz, Irene J. Fisher, Thomas E. Imbrigiotta, Beth Sharack, Lisa Summer, DeMond Timmons, John J. Trainor, Daniel Wieczorek, Jennifer Samson, Timothy J. Reilly, Michael J. FocazioEAARL-B submerged topography: Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, pre-Hurricane Sandy, 2012
These remotely sensed, geographically referenced elevation measurements of lidar-derived submerged topography datasets were produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, Florida. This project provides highly detailed and accurate datasets for part of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, acquired pre-Hurricane Sandy on October 18, 22, 23, anAuthorsC. Wayne Wright, Rodolfo J. Troche, Emily S. Klipp, Christine J. Kranenburg, Xan Fredericks, David B. NagleEAARL-B submerged topography: Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012-2013
These remotely sensed, geographically referenced elevation measurements of lidar-derived submerged topography datasets were produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg, Florida. This project provides highly detailed and accurate datasets for part of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, acquired post-Hurricane Sandy on November 1, 5, 16, 20,AuthorsC. Wayne Wright, Rodolfo J. Troche, Christine J. Kranenburg, Emily S. Klipp, Xan Fredericks, David B. Nagle