The USGS estimates potential spread of invasive species carried by hurricane-induced flooding

Part five of a seven-part series highlighting USGS hurricane science

By Communications and Publishing June 30, 2023

The 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through November 30. Throughout the season, the U.S. Geological Survey will be providing science that can help guide efforts to protect lives and property if a storm threatens the U.S.

An imagae showing a map predicting where invasive northern snakeheads might spread from flooding and an image of a snakehead. — (Left) This Flood and Storm Tracker map shows areas where flooding caused by Hurricane Ida in 2021 may have spread the invasive northern snakehead. (Right) The northern snakehead is just one of almost 1,400 nonindigenous aquatic species the USGS can estimate the spread of after major flood events with these maps. USGS images.

The high winds, heavy rains and storm tides caused by hurricanes and tropical storms can rapidly change the landscape of an area affected by a storm. Hurricane-related flooding can also result in a slow transformation of ecosystems found on land and in water, as floodwaters can carry invasive wildlife and plant species into new regions, accelerating their spread.

When invasive species spread into new areas, there can be environmental, economic and human health effects that can cost the U.S. billions of dollars. Due to the importance of the issue, farmers, ranchers, businesses, and Tribal and government officials are working to mitigate the threats these invaders pose. The U.S. Geological Survey aids these efforts by creating Flood and Storm Tracker maps that identify where non-native species may have been carried during a major flood event. These maps provide land managers vital information they can use to focus efforts to slow the potential spread of non-native species.

The scientists who oversee the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database–the national repository for confirmed sightings of nonnative species found in water across the U.S.–use data on water levels, water flow and storm tide heights to identify places where waterways may have merged during flooding. They combine that information with established local nonindigenous plant and animal populations to identify aquatic species that had the potential to spread and locations where flood waters might have carried them.

The first Flood and Storm Tracker map was produced in 2017 after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and USGS experts have created more than a dozen since. The most recent map created was a preliminary map for Hurricane Ian with the final version being available soon.

When a map is created for a major storm, it focuses on local species from the almost 1,400 various plants and animals included in the database. Past maps created by the USGS have forecast the spread of many notorious invasive species, such as giant apple snails, African Jewelfish, zebra mussels and water hyacinth. The maps can be viewed here.

Come back next week to learn how the USGS measures the vast extent of flooding that hurricanes and tropical storms can cause and how this knowledge helps communities better prepare for future floods.

*Editor’s note: The photo at the top of the story shows zebra mussels, which are an invasive species that can easily spread through floodwaters. Photo by Amy Benson, USGS.

Learn more about USGS hurricane science.

The USGS provides science for a changing world. Learn more at www.usgs.gov or follow us on Facebook @USGeologicalSurvey, YouTube @USGS, Instagram @USGS, or Twitter @USGS.