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Maps and Imagery for Hurricane Response

USGS geospatial data, tools, maps, imagery, and elevation data can aid local, state, and federal agencies in making decisions that can protect lives and property

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Coastal Change Happens

USGS Has Data and Tools to Help Coastal Communities Prepare

Learn about CCH

Research Investments Support Hurricane Readiness

Equipment upgrades made with supplemental funding pays off

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Historical Storm Response By Name and Year

USGS monitors and responds to hurricanes in consultation with other agencies

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Hurricanes

When hurricanes threaten our coasts, the USGS provides comprehensive science and information that decision makers, emergency responders, resource managers, and communities can use to help them prepare for, cope with, and recover from a storm. Information gained from each storm continually advances our science capabilities to improve preparedness, reduce risk, and enhance our resilience.

The Scope of Our Science

Photograph of flooding in Texas after Hurricane Harvey

USGS brings together an integrated array of expertise to forecast and understand hurricane impacts so we can prepare, respond, and recover from them.

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Storm Response

A USGS employee standing in knee deep water attaches a metal cylinder containing a storm tide sensor to a pier.

See the USGS response to current and previous storms, listed by year and storm name.

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Data and Tools

News

Coastal Change Hazards Team Forecasted and Measured Hurricane Milton Beach Impacts

Coastal Change Hazards Team Forecasted and Measured Hurricane Milton Beach Impacts

Coastal Change Hazards Team Forecasted and Measured Hurricane Helene Beach Impacts

Coastal Change Hazards Team Forecasted and Measured Hurricane Helene Beach Impacts

USGS experts responding simultaneously to two major natural hazards

USGS experts responding simultaneously to two major natural hazards

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Publications

Tropical or extratropical cyclones: What drives the compound flood hazard, impact, and risk for the United States Southeast Atlantic coast?

Subtropical coastlines are impacted by both tropical and extratropical cyclones. While both may lead to substantial damage to coastal communities, it is difficult to determine the contribution of tropical cyclones to coastal flooding relative to that of extratropical cyclones. We conduct a large-scale flood hazard and impact assessment across the subtropical Southeast Atlantic Coast of the United
Authors
Kees Nederhoff, Tim Leijnse, Kai Alexander Parker, Jennifer Anne Thomas, Andrea O'Neill, Maarten van Ormondt, Robert T. McCall, Li H. Erikson, Patrick L. Barnard, Amy C. Foxgrover, Wouter Klessens, Norberto C. Nadal-Caraballo, Chris Massey
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities, Hurricanes

Impacts of the ocean-atmosphere coupling into the very short range prediction system during the impact of Hurricane Matthew on Cuba

The main goal of this investigation is analyzing the impact of insert the ocean-atmosphere coupling into the very short range prediction system of Cuba. The ocean-atmosphere coupled components of the Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System are used for this purpose and the hurricane Matthew is selected as study case. Two experiments are performed: first, using a dynamic s
Authors
Liset Vázquez Proveyer, Maibys Sierra Lorenzo, Roberto Carlos Cruz Rodríguez, John C. Warner
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Matthew, Hurricanes

U.S. Geological Survey response to Hurricane Maria flooding in Puerto Rico and characterization of peak streamflows observed September 20–22, 2017

Hurricane Maria struck the island of Puerto Rico on September 20, 2017, as a Category 4 storm. The hurricane traversed the island from southeast to northwest and produced recorded 48-hour rainfall totals of up to 30.01 inches. Estimates of the human death toll range from 2,975 to 4,645, possibly more.The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic monitoring network sustained substantial wind and flo

Authors
Julieta M. Gómez-Fragoso, Mark Smith, Marilyn Santiago
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities, Hurricane Maria, Hurricanes
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Science

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infographic showing transects signaling coastal change, onshore and offshore baselines

Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS)

Software for calculating positional boundary change over time The Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) version 6 is a standalone application that calculates shoreline or boundary change over time. The GIS of a user’s choice is used to prepare the data for DSAS. Like previous versions, DSAS v.6 enables a user to calculate rate-of-change statistics from multiple historical shoreline positions...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities, Hurricanes
link

Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS)

Software for calculating positional boundary change over time The Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) version 6 is a standalone application that calculates shoreline or boundary change over time. The GIS of a user’s choice is used to prepare the data for DSAS. Like previous versions, DSAS v.6 enables a user to calculate rate-of-change statistics from multiple historical shoreline positions...
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link
The USGS Coastal Change Hazards Portal shows a screenshot of Hurricane Zeta approaching the northern U.S. Gulf Coast

Hurricane Portfolio

Research conducted as part of the CRU program is determined, approved, and supported by each unit’s coordinating committee composed of representatives from the USGS, one or more of the respective State fish and wildlife agencies, the host university, the Wildlife Management Institute, and the USFWS. The stakeholder-driven nature of the program’s research portfolio is designed to ensure that the...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Hurricanes
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Hurricane Portfolio

Research conducted as part of the CRU program is determined, approved, and supported by each unit’s coordinating committee composed of representatives from the USGS, one or more of the respective State fish and wildlife agencies, the host university, the Wildlife Management Institute, and the USFWS. The stakeholder-driven nature of the program’s research portfolio is designed to ensure that the...
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link
Map of a coastal area with areas defining where coral reef damage occurred and the resulting damage estimates.

Quantifying Flood Risk and Reef Risk Reduction Benefits in Florida and Puerto Rico: The Consequences of Hurricane Damage, Long-term Degradation, and Restoration Opportunities

Coastal flooding and erosion from extreme weather events affect thousands of vulnerable coastal communities; the impacts of coastal flooding are predicted to worsen during this century because of population growth and climate change. Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 were particularly devasting to humans and natural communities. The coral reefs off the State of Florida and the Commonwealth of...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria, Hurricanes
link

Quantifying Flood Risk and Reef Risk Reduction Benefits in Florida and Puerto Rico: The Consequences of Hurricane Damage, Long-term Degradation, and Restoration Opportunities

Coastal flooding and erosion from extreme weather events affect thousands of vulnerable coastal communities; the impacts of coastal flooding are predicted to worsen during this century because of population growth and climate change. Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 were particularly devasting to humans and natural communities. The coral reefs off the State of Florida and the Commonwealth of...
Learn More
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