Real-time and Observed Measurements of Hurricane-Induced Hydrodynamics and Flooding

Team Members

U.S. Geological Survey

• Jenna Brown
• Robert Mason
• Athena Clark
• John C. Warner
• Bryce McClenney
• Laura LaPolice
• Chris Lewis

Sofar Ocean

• Pieter Smit
• Isabel Houghton
• Tim Janssen

NOAA

• Ali Abdolali
• Jamie Rhone

Team Objectives

Rapidly deploy wave and water level sensors for model validation and assimilation.

• Disseminate data and metadata information in a timely manner

• Develop rapid response techniques for instrument deployment​

• Enhance STMP (Storm Tide Monitoring program) with real-time sensors and coordinated transects

• Collect storm-tide and wave data at numerous locations within coastal areas threatened by storm and flooding impacts

• Deploy 2 detailed cross-shore transects of wave and water level sensors on each side of projected hurricane landfall on U.S. Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico coast 2-3 days prior to landfall for 3 named hurricanes (2022-2024 seasons) extending to offshore observations (~20 m water depth) with moored wave buoys

• Provide essential high-frequency time-series datasets to more accurately define the scope and timing of storm tide, waves, and inland flooding associated with coastal-storm landfalls

Newest Updates

October 7, 2022

Hurricane Ian Response

Task 3B met our project objectives to rapidly deploy water level and wave sensors in cross-shore transects, spanning offshore to inland, to collect data for model validation, following a short but effective timeline.

August 16, 2022

Sofar deploys Spotter Smart Moorings along coastlines

Sofar has started deploying Smart Moorings (Spotter buoys sensing surface waves, temperature, and barometric pressure along with water level from subsurface pressure sensors) in key locations in the Gulf and Atlantic coast to provide critical offshore observations (~20m depth) in tandem with cross-shore transects of USGS land-based water level observations to improve forecasts of hurricane impacts.

April 1, 2022

April 2022 – Field Testing at the USACE Field Research Facility in the Outer Banks, North Carolina

In preparation for land-based sensor deployments during the 2022 Hurricane season, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted field tests at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Field Research Facility (FRF) in Duck, North Carolina in late March 2022.