Date: Mon, 10 Oct 2016 16:49:33 EDT
Summary: Matthew Response for USGS-South Atlantic now focusing on North Carolina Historic Inland Flooding from Matthew
The USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) is continuing the recovery of Storm Surge Sensors (SSSs) and Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs) in support of a FEMA mission assignment tasking for Hurricane Matthew. Strategic planning on how to respond to historic inland flooding from Matthew is now underway.
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. Sensor recovery operations in GA and SC may be completed by the end of Tuesday or early Wednesday. Sensor recovery in NC is underway and may be completed by end of Wednesday.
NORTH CAROLINA
In North Carolina crews are actively responding to the period-of-record riverine flooding that it some cases rivals or exceeds Hurricane Floyd peaks.
We have 19 people in the field making flood measurements and addressing gage issues. This includes teams from all three NC field offices and a crew from Richmond Virginia.. A South Carolina crew is making preparations to install a Rapid Deployment gage on the Black River near Currie, NC in Pender County.
Some areas of the state are devastated and I have been told that it is difficult to find gas in the area surrounding Lumberton (I presume this is a power issue). Our folks in those areas are having to gas up some distance away and bring food with them.
Access and safety are indeed issues. Portions of Interstates 40 and 95 are closed due to flooding and/or damage. More information on road conditions is available at: https://tims.ncdot.gov/tims/
Some media outlet reports are available at:
http://www.wect.com/ -- a Wilmington NC channel covering southeastern NC
http://abc11.com/ -- a Raleigh NC channel
In addition to responding to the flooding we have 10 people (5 crews) making their way to the coast today to recover storm surge sensors.
SOUTH CAROLINA
We have 6 crews (12 people) flagging HWMs along the SC coast. (4 people from MS, 1 from AL, 1 from AR, 6 from SC.)
We have 3 crews (6 people) making high flow discharge measurements primarily in the eastern part of the state. (2 people for WV, 2 from KY, 2 from SC)
We have 6 people (SC) recovering storm sensors. There are approximately 12 sensors that are still under water and not yet recoverable.
GEORGIA
We have 14 2-person crews across the GA coast performing sensor recovery, as well as HWM flagging and surveying. We believe sensor recovery should be done by no later than Wednesday, allowing teams to shift to NC for flood support. Data processing is ongoing.
One crew is pulling three (3) RDGs from GA to re-deploy 2 tonight in Georgetown, SC per special request from the State. The extra RDG will be ready for deployment in NC later tomorrow.
MOVING FORWARD
Depending upon the NC river status, one crew from SC and two crews from GA may shift to NC starting Wednesday or Thursday. An additional 2 crews from SC and 2 crews from GA would be available by the end of the week for further assistance. We will also continue to look for support options from other WSCs and their staff as needed.