Coastal Services Center

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Tools For All Communities

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New Solutions for a Region's Storm-related Issues

One of the strengths of the Coastal Storms Program is the coming together of various organizations to create new solutions for a region's storm-related issues. Often these solutions are applicable to other coastal communities. The tools and information linked from this page are applicable to most communities in the nation's coastal zone.

Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Tool
What hazards can impact your community? Where is your house in relation to storm surge or flood areas? Does your community have a mitigation plan? Do you know what the Community Rating System (CRS) is? Does your community participate? Use this Web site to learn how to conduct a risk and vulnerability assessment, map hazard locations in relation to your house, visualize three-dimensional storm surge, and learn about precautionary measures to protect your community from coastal storms.

Inland Flood Planning and Response Tool
Federal, state, and local officials and emergency managers can access real-time flood-related information, such as current rainfall estimates, rainfall forecasts, and current and forecasted river stages with the Inland Flood Planning and Response Tool, available within HURREVAC. This information can be used to update or develop inland flood-related evacuation and response plans, and conduct exercises and drills.

Ocean and Weather Observations

Mariners, weather forecasters, and coastal scientists will appreciate the improved oceanographic and meteorological observations that are now available from the nation's data collection systems. Data available include wind, barometric pressure, air temperature, water level, water current, and water temperature and conductivity measurements.

• The National Data Buoy Center provides all the observations NOAA collects from its marine observing system.
• Coastal Marine Automated Network (C-MAN) data
• National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) data
• Observational Quick Look shows users graphs of water level and meteorological data collected along the projected path of severe storms such as hurricanes. Data from the four 2004 hurricanes has been graphed and is available on-line.