Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2016 19:19:51 EDT
Summary: USGS-Caribbean Florida WSC prepares for Hurricane Matthew sensor recovery and high water mark effort.
Hurricane Matthew skirted the Florida east coast today and turned in closer to Daytona to Jacksonville area causing several feet of storm surge and damage to the east coast. Two deaths (non USGS) in Florida were reported. Two stream gages and one Rapid Deployment Gages (RDG) were suffered minor damage. One hydrographer from Orlando waill investigate tomorrow after the storm passes.
The USGS Caribbean Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC) completed deployment of continuous water level sensors and RDGs yesterday Oct. 6 in support of a FEMA mission assignment. 61 water level sensors, 17 barometers, and 3 RDGs were deployed along the east Florida coast from Miami to Jacksonville. CFWSC staff (12 teams, 26 staff) readied equipment and plans today to deploy back to the east coast on Saturday to recover water level sensors. Support staff in Davie, Orlando, Tampa, and Ft. Myers will assist with data processing.
A high water mark effort from Daytona to Jacksonville is also being planned with FEMA. A second Florida crew of approximately 12 staff is being gathered for the effort. Survey teams from Florida and nearby USGs WSC offices are planning to survey HWM's next week.
Davie and Orlando offices remained closed today and will resume normal operations tomorrow. All staff have been accounted for. Some staff from the Orlando office are reporting some damage to homes.