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The Flood of June 2003 in Southwest Central Florida
A series of severe thunderstorms swept through southwest Central Florida on June 21 to 24. Precipitation associated with these storms resulted in flooding in parts of Desoto, Hardee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. Floodwater from these thunderstorms caused damage to public and private property amounting to more than $11 million and damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes. Field crews from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)'s Tampa Hydrologic Data Section measured some of the highest discharge (flow) ever recorded at several gauging stations during the June 21-24 flood. Peak-discharge measurements were made at 24 stations. These data contribute to understanding flood behavior, enhance efforts to minimize destruction caused by floods, and provide data for planning. Precipitation associated with these thunderstorms resulted in the highest peak flows recorded for the period of record at seven streamflow-gauging stations in Desoto, Hardee, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties. These stations and their peak (provisional) computed discharge values are listed below:
Precipitation was recorded at several USGS gauging stations in southwest Central Florida and ranged from 9 to 17 inches for the period June 18-23, with the heaviest falling on June 21.
The Tampa Hydrologic Data Section operates a network of streamflow-gauging stations in southwest Central Florida in cooperation with Federal, State, and local agencies. Data from these stations are crucial for water-supply planning, flood monitoring, emergency response, dam and reservoir-system operation, establishing flood-insurance rates, and engineering and maintenance of bridges, roads, and other structures. Most of these stations provide real-time data through satellite relay or radio telemetry. The National Weather Service, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and other agencies use the data to maintain water supplies, forecast floods, and issue flood warnings.
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in this issue:
Southwest Central Florida Flood
School Children Learn About Sediment WETMAAP Workshops for Teachers
Tampa Bay Wetland Restoration Research German-American Frontiers of Science Coastal and Marine Geology Program Knowledge Bank
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