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USGS Science: Before, During and After the Storm

Millions of Americans live in coastal areas, especially in the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, that may be in the direct path of hurricanes this season.

Hurricanes bring destructive winds, storm surge, torrential rain, flooding, and tornadoes. A single storm can wreak havoc on coastal and inland communities on natural areas over thousands of square miles. Recent Atlantic hurricane seasons have been the costliest on record, with losses of $42 billion in 2004 and in the hundreds of billions in 2005.

A major goal of the U.S. Geological Survey is to reduce the vulnerability of the people and areas most at risk from natural hazards. Working with partners throughout all sectors of society, the USGS has initiated specific actions to prepare for the impending hurricane season. Improved monitoring of conditions on the ground from flooding and storm surge, enhanced ability to navigate in a disaster zone, and better assessments of the effect on coastlines and ecology are just a few of the benefits anticipated from these actions.

The USGS provides information, products and knowledge to help build more resilient communities, and strives to keep America safe from natural hazards.

Mark Myers
Director, USGS

collage of hurricane pictures: scientist taking water samples, rescue operations, and command station.

USGS Has Science That Weathers the Storm

The USGS conducts a wide variety of research and monitoring activities before, during and after the storm including:  geospatial information which is crucial for search and rescue operations, rapid deployment of mobile streamgages, coastal laser mapping, ecological monitoring and wetlands loss.   Learn more

Coastal Impacts
Chandeleur Island, before and after Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Impact Studies
Satellite Imagery and other Geospatial Data
Image showing New Orleans before and after Hurricane Katrina. USGS Landsat 7 Satellite Images
Ecological Impacts
everglades
Monitoring Streamflow Conditions
Image of real-time water data for the Nation


News Releases
Image representing a news release.
Publications
Photo showing many books in a pile.

NOAA: National Hurricane Center (Atlantic)

  • Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook
    <br/> 000<br/> ABNT20 KNHC 010358<br/> TWOAT <br/> TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK...CORRECTED<br/> NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL<br/> 700 PM EST SUN NOV 30 2008<br/> <br/> CORRECTED SPECIAL TROPICAL DISTURBANCE HEADER TO READ MIADSAAT<br/> <br/> FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC...CARIBBEAN SEA AND THE GULF OF MEXICO...<br/> <br/> AS THE 2008 ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON APPROACHES ITS CONCLUSION...<br/> TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE NEXT 48<br/> HOURS.<br/> <br/> ISSUANCE OF THIS PRODUCT WILL RESUME ON 1 JUNE 2009. SHOULD ANY<br/> SIGNIFICANT DISTURBANCES DEVELOP DURING THE OFF-SEASON...SPECIAL<br/> TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENTS WOULD BE ISSUED...AS NEEDED.<br/> SPECIAL TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENTS CAN BE FOUND UNDER WMO<br/> HEADER WONT41 KNHC...AND UNDER AWIPS HEADER MIADSAAT.<br/> <br/> $$<br/> <br/> FORECASTER STEWART<br/> <br/> <br/> <br/>

  • There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
    No tropical cyclones as of Thu, 07 May 2009 10:37:59 GMT


NOAA: National Hurricane Center (East Pacific)

  • East Pacific Tropical Weather Outlook
    <br/> 000<br/> ABPZ20 KNHC 010552<br/> TWOEP <br/> TROPICAL WEATHER OUTLOOK<br/> NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL<br/> 1000 PM PST SUN NOV 30 2008<br/> <br/> FOR THE EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC...EAST OF 140 DEGREES WEST LONGITUDE..<br/> <br/> AS THE 2008 EASTERN NORTH PACIFIC HURRICANE SEASON APPROACHES ITS<br/> CONCLUSION...TROPICAL CYCLONE FORMATION IS NOT EXPECTED DURING THE<br/> NEXT 48 HOURS.<br/> <br/> ISSUANCE OF THIS PRODUCT WILL RESUME ON 15 MAY 2009. SHOULD ANY<br/> SIGNIFICANT DISTURBANCES DEVELOP DURING THE OFF-SEASON...SPECIAL<br/> TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENTS WOULD BE ISSUED...AS NEEDED.<br/> SPECIAL TROPICAL DISTURBANCE STATEMENTS CAN BE FOUND UNDER WMO<br/> HEADER WOPZ41 KNHC...AND UNDER AWIPS HEADER MIADSAEP.<br/> <br/> $$<br/> <br/> FORECASTER STEWART<br/> <br/> <br/> <br/>

  • There are no tropical cyclones at this time.
    No tropical cyclones as of Thu, 07 May 2009 10:37:59 GMT


Additional Hurricane Resources

 

USGS Storm Team (password required)

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Page Last Modified: Tuesday, July 08, 2008