Date: Tue, 11 Oct 2016 17:31:45 EDT
Summary: USGS-South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) crews are continuing efforts to document the impacts of Hurricane 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. Coastal surge effort is winding down while inland historic riverine flooding continues.
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.
As of Monday, 162 of the 295 total sensors deployed have been recovered. Almost 100 independent HWMs have been flagged along the SAWSC coastline. Surveying of the remaining sensors and HWMs is ongoing. Up to 11 long-term real time streamgages and 2 RDGs have been damaged or destroyed from the event. Efforts are underway to get the gages back to operational status.
Here's a staffing breakdown:
NORTH CAROLINA
Sixteen (16) people are making discharge measurements-14 from NC 2 from VA (Richmond). These are generally in groups of 4 for safety reasons-they are being largely unsuccessful due to lack of access and unsafe conditions.
Two (2) people assessing gage issues and restoring operations at damaged gages where possible.
Two (2) people are water quality sampling.
Eight (8) people are on storm tide sensor recovery with two (2) additional in the office processing the data for a total of ten (10).
Three (3) people are providing flood coordination support in the office.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Six (6) 2-person flagging teams.
One (1) 2-person survey crew from GA.
Three (3) 2-person teams making riverine flood measurements. One team was from VA-WV WSC, and another was from IN-KY WSC.
One (1) 2-person team installing a RDG for flood forecasting.
One (1) 2-person team retrieving RDGs to prepare for flooding in North Carolina.
Three persons are providing office coordination and support.
GEORGIA
28 persons involved in total. Two are in SC.
Thirteen (13) 2-person teams recovering SSSs, flagging HWMs, and surveying elevation to all point.
Three persons are providing office coordination and support.