Gulf Coast Impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike Documented by USGS Extreme-Storms Group

October 2008 | Publisher: USGS (Soundwaves) | Format: URL

soundwaves.usgs.gov — Three years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged the U.S. Gulf Coast, the region was hit once again by a pair of large storms: Hurricane Gustav made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana, on September 1, 2008, as a strong Category 2 storm; and Hurricane Ike made landfall near Galveston, Texas, on September 13, 2008, also as a strong Category 2 More... Three years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravaged the U.S. Gulf Coast, the region was hit once again by a pair of large storms: Hurricane Gustav made landfall near Cocodrie, Louisiana, on September 1, 2008, as a strong Category 2 storm; and Hurricane Ike made landfall near Galveston, Texas, on September 13, 2008, also as a strong Category 2 storm. Major metropolitan areas were evacuated in the face of each hurricane: residents were ordered to leave New Orleans as Gustav approached, and Ike triggered evacuations of Houston and Galveston. This article recounts the impact of hurricanes Gustav and Ike, as seen through the eyes of the USGS Extreme-Storms Group. The story is told through aerial photographs, maps, and links to additional resources on hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Also, pre- and post- storm data comparisons that reveal the characteristics, magnitude, and spatial variability of such coastal changes as beach erosion, overwash deposition, and island breaching. Less...