Coastal Change Hazards: Hurricanes and Extreme Storms

Hurricane Ike

Latest Response Activities

Hurricane Ike: Observations of Coastal Change
Observations were collected to measure coastal changes associated with Hurricane Ike, which made landfall near Galveston, Texas, on September 13, 2008. Methods of observation included aerial photography and airborne topographic surveys. This report documents these data-collection efforts and presents qualitative and quantitative descriptions of hurricane-induced changes to the shoreline, beaches, dunes, and infrastructure in the region that was heavily impacted by Hurricane Ike.

Read the report: USGS Open-File Report 2009-1061

Hurricane Ike made landfall as Category 2 hurricane near Galveston, Texas, on September 13, 2008. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Hurricanes and Extreme Storms Group is investigating coastal change caused by Hurricane Ike.

Aerial video, still photography, and laser altimetry surveys of post-storm beach conditions were collected for comparison with earlier data. The comparisons show the nature, magnitude, and spatial variability of coastal changes such as beach erosion, overwash deposition, and island breaching. These data will also be used to further refine predictive models of coastal impacts from severe storms.

Response Activities

Pre-landfall

• Pre-storm photos (data collection by UNO, completed 09/10/2008)
• Initial assessment of potential coastal-change impacts (web post)

Post-landfall (approx. 3-5 days)

• Post-storm oblique aerial photography mission (data collection, completed 09/15/08)
• Post-storm airborne lidar topographic survey (data collection, completed 09/18/08)
• Quick-response aerial photos of impacted coast (web post)
• Pre- and post-storm photo comparisons (web post)

Post-landfall (approx. 2 weeks)

• Initial pre- and post-storm lidar 3D imagery of topography and coastal change (web post)

Science that Weathers the Storm: USGS Responds to Ike
USGS

Track storm surge and floods in real-time with the Hurricane Ike Hydrologic Impacts Map
USGS

Podcast: Hurricanes and Extreme Storms and Coastal Hazards, Assessments, and Changes
USGS Podcast

USGS Science: Before, During and After the Storm
USGS

National Hurricane Center
National Weather Service