Date: Sun, 09 Oct 2016 16:56:27 EDT
Summary: USGS South Atlantic WSC now beginning the recovery of storm sensors and flagging of high-water marks.
The USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) has initiated the recovery of Storm Surge Sensors (SSSs) and Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs) in support of a FEMA mission assignment tasking. Hurricane Matthew has now degraded to a tropical depression and is no longer along the SAWSC states, but the impacts will continue for some time.
Overall, SAWSC has received four (4) mission assignment taskings from FEMA inclduing one (1) for the deployment and recovery of storm-surge sensors along the Atlantic coastline, in addition to three (3) state-based taskings for the collection and surveying of High-Water Marks (HWMs).
A total of 295 sensors at 215 locations were deployed across SAWSC in advance of the storm. The overall storm totals (including VA and FL) were 393 sensors at 290 locations, making the Matthew deployment the largest in USGS history.
NORTH CAROLINA
--Twenty-one (21) persons are in the field as part of ten (10) crews. Nine (9) crews are making flood streamflow measurements, documenting peaks and/or attempting gage repairs. One (1) crew is collecting water-quality samples near Raleigh.
--Significant "historic" inland riverine flooding is occurring. One streamgage has been lost to inundation. Several other gages are nearing their gage operational limits and are at risk. Peak verification and indirect streamflow computations will be needed at these sites.
--As of this report, fourteen (14) locations have new period-of-record peaks, of which ten (10) are considered long-term stations.
--Access is a major issue. More than 750,000 people are without power as of this morning according to state officials.
--Two (2) two-person crews are deploying from VA-WV WSC to assist with streamflow measurements. Four (4) two-person crews are on the way from LMG WSC to assist with HWM flagging and surveying.
SOUTH CAROLINA
--Three (3) 2-person teams were out today performing flood streamflow measurements and gage repairs.
--Six (6) 1-person teams are out recovering the storm surge sensors.
--Two (2) 2-person teams are being deployed from IN-KY WSC and VA-WV WSC to support streamflow measurements.
--Additional requests from SC-EMA for 4 RDGs for riverine flooding has been received and attempted to be fulfilled with RDGs from the coastline now that the surge has dissipated.
GEORGIA
--No significant riverine flooding has occurred in the state.
--Twenty-eight (28) total staff are now involved in Georgia operations to retrieve sensors and flag HWMs, of which:
--Eleven (11) staff were housed in hotels during the storm and are now engaged in sensor recovery & HWM flagging.
--Fifteen (15) staff left Atlanta today towards the Georgia coast. This number included the four staff from the NJ WSC. Major roads were still closed, which made traffic difficult.
Of the four (4) Savannah Field Office staff, two rode out the storm in the area and are safe. The other two left the area and are attempting to return home today. These folks will be involved in getting real-time gages back operational over the next few days.