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USGS Deploying Storm Tide Sensors From NY to MA for Hurricane Henri

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Coastal Change Happens

USGS Has Data and Tools to Help Coastal Communities Prepare

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Research Investments Support Hurricane Readiness

Equipment upgrades made with supplemental funding pays off

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Hurricanes and Coastal Ecosystems

Hurricanes are large-scale disturbances to coastal ecosystem structure

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The Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network

Storm surge and waves are the most powerful elements of coastal storms. USGS and partners operate for U.S. Coastlines

Explore SWATH

How Hurricanes Can Gain Strength

USGS scientists add another piece to puzzle: new info may aid forecasting, save lives, and protect infrastructure

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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

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Hurricane or Bust: How DUNEX Found Consolation in the Middle

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The Monitor newsletter - Vol. 4 | Issue Fall 2021

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Special Issue on Reducing Flood Risk by Restoring Coral Reefs

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Publications

Rigorously valuing the coastal hazard risks reduction provided by potential coral reef restoration in Florida and Puerto Rico

The restoration of coastal habitats, particularly coral reefs, can reduce risks by decreasing the exposure of coastal communities to flooding hazards. In the United States, the protective services provided by coral reefs were recently assessed in social and economic terms, with the annual protection provided by U.S. coral reefs off the coasts of the State of Florida and the Commonwealth of Puerto
By
Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Rigorously valuing the impact of projected coral reef degradation on coastal hazard risk in Florida

The degradation of coastal habitats, particularly coral reefs, raises risks by increasing the exposure of coastal communities to flooding hazards. In the United States, the physical protective services provided by coral reefs were recently assessed, in social and economic terms, with the annual protection provided by U.S. coral reefs off the coast of the State of Florida estimated to be more than
By
Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Rigorously valuing the impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria on coastal hazard risks in Florida and Puerto Rico

The degradation of coastal habitats, particularly coral reefs, raises risks by increasing the exposure of coastal communities to flooding hazards. In the United States, the physical protective services provided by coral reefs were recently assessed in social and economic terms, with the annual protection provided by U.S. coral reefs off the coasts of the State of Florida and the Commonwealth of Pu
By
Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Science

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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, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
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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...
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Photograph of flooding in Texas after Hurricane Harvey

The Scope of Our Science

In 2020, the U.S. experienced 30 named storms for first time in 170 years of record keeping. Impacts were seen far inland, and the entire Gulf and Atlantic coasts were impacted at some point. Since 2017, 14 hurricanes made landfall in the U.S., causing $353 billion in damages. USGS science helps reduce these losses by enhancing our Nation’s capabilities to forecast impacts and provide real time...
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The Scope of Our Science

In 2020, the U.S. experienced 30 named storms for first time in 170 years of record keeping. Impacts were seen far inland, and the entire Gulf and Atlantic coasts were impacted at some point. Since 2017, 14 hurricanes made landfall in the U.S., causing $353 billion in damages. USGS science helps reduce these losses by enhancing our Nation’s capabilities to forecast impacts and provide real time...
Learn More
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View from the sky of a tropical coastline and a beach with ocean water so clear the coral reef can be seen.

Coral Reef Project: Puerto Rico

To better understand how waves move across coral reefs and cause flooding on tropical shorelines, USGS scientists have installed video cameras and oceanographic instruments off San Juan and Rincón, Puerto Rico. Their work is part of a study funded by USGS after Hurricanes Irma and María. The offshore instruments measure wave heights and speeds; the onshore video cameras show where waves break on...
By
Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Coral Reef Project: Puerto Rico

To better understand how waves move across coral reefs and cause flooding on tropical shorelines, USGS scientists have installed video cameras and oceanographic instruments off San Juan and Rincón, Puerto Rico. Their work is part of a study funded by USGS after Hurricanes Irma and María. The offshore instruments measure wave heights and speeds; the onshore video cameras show where waves break on...
Learn More
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