Hurricane Research at NWRC

Studying hurricanes is critical to the USGS National Wetlands Research Center's research mission. Although headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana, NWRC's hurricane researchers find themselves at work throughout the world. Presented here are some examples of NWRC's wide-ranging hurricane research efforts.


Hurricane Katrina just prior to landfall in August 2005. Image courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


USGS employees assist in search and rescue operations during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

NWRC Hurricane Issues and Capabilities
Special Feature: Hurricanes and the Coast of the Gulf of Mexico (March 2009)
NWRC Science Response Vehicle (May 2007)
Science and the Storms: the USGS Response to the Hurricanes of 2005 (October 2007)
Satellite Images and Aerial Photographs of the Effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on Coastal Louisiana (July 2007)
National Hurricane Center
Hurricane Tracking Chart (PDF; 907KB)*

NWRC Activity during Previous Hurricane Seasons

2012
- Isaac
2008
- Ike & Gustav
2005
- Katrina & Rita
2004
- Ivan
- Charley
2003
- Claudette
2002
- Lili
1999
- Bret
- Floyd
1998
- Earl
- Mitch
- Georges
1992
- Andrew

* NOTE: The Hurricane Tracking Chart document on this page is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.