Date: Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:47:41 EDT
Summary: USGS field crews continue response to historic flooding in South Carolina associated with Hurricane Joaquin (SUNDAY & MONDAY report)
FOR SUNDAY--10/04/2015
All South Atlantic WSC (SAWSC) field crews are safe and office space is intact. Access issues exist for offices in South Carolina and IT network issues persist.
The SAWSC-Raleigh office had 4 2-person crews in the field making flood measurements and 1 2-person crew making QW inspections. The Asheville office was wrapping up field activities and preparing to shift to South Carolina. Two 3-person crews from the Charlotte office were finishing field activities in their area and were preparing to head to South Carolina.
The SAWSC-Columbia office had 6 2-person crews in the field making flood measurements and inspecting gages. Four streamgages have been damaged to the floods, and one boat was lost during a rescue attempt.
Two gages have been restored with Rapid-Deployment Gages (RDGs). Two others still not functioning.
The SAWSC-Norcross office had 7 crews (14 persons) active initially, with five more 2-person teams activated from Norcross, Tifton, and Savannah. 8 RDGs were taken to Columbia to restore lost gages.
Discussions with FEMA Region IV on support activities for their response and recovery have begun, with a potential mission assignment drafted late Sunday. Requests from South Carolina Department of Transportation to assist with assessments of flooded interstate and state highways have been received.
Coordination with USGS Office of Communication continues with photos and videos.
Coordination of field activities continues by leadership in Norcross, Columbia, and Raleigh offices.
FOR MONDAY--10/05/2015
The SAWSC-Raleigh office has 4 2-person crews continuing to make flood measurements and another single person addressing any miscellaneous gage issues. The crews from the Asheville office are finished with field activities and preparing to head to South Carolina to assist. Two to three crews would be available on Tuesday to travel if needed. The Charlotte Field Office has already sent 3 2-person crews to South Carolina on Sunday, and will have the rest support any FEMA data management needs moving forward.
The SAWSC-Columbia office has 18 teams currently active in the state responding to flood conditions (5 from SC; 3 from NC, 9 from GA, 1 from AL). Four gages were lost, but two have been restored. Hotels are getting scarce due to evacuations, etc. Impassable roads have hindered measurements. Total so far was 64 measurements across the state. A handful of water level sensors are still deployed in coastal South Carolina for flooding from rainfall. Two RDGs were deployed on Friday to address susceptible flood areas. Measurements for SC DOT support are occurring.
The SAWSC-Norcross office has 9 teams in South Carolina assisting with flood response. 8 RDGs were sent over Sunday to help repair flooded gages. A successful civilian rescue occurred late Sunday by a crew from Georgia on the Wassamaw Creek.
Discussions with FEMA continue for potential tasking in support of their response and recovery mission.
Continued efforts to highlight the field activities are occurring with USGS Office of Communications.
Coordination of field activities continue by SAWSC leadership in Norcross, Columbia and Raleigh.