Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2016 12:26:02 EDT
Summary: USGS South Atlantic WSC is continuing its response to Hurricane Matthew with flood measurements and high-water mark flagging.
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 including 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 Tuesday, 229 of the 295 total sensors deployed have been recovered. Almost 232 independent HWMs have been flagged along the SAWSC coastline. Surveying of the remaining sensors and HWMs is ongoing. Up to 13 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.
A total of 109 persons are involved with the SAWSC effort, including 86 SAWSC employees and 23 from other WSC's. Here's a staffing breakdown:
NORTH CAROLINA
Thirty-four (34) persons from the North Carolina offices and two (2) persons from the Norcross office are involved with the effort. Twelve (12) persons from the LMG (8), IN-KY (2) and WV-VA (2) WSCs are also assisting. TOTAL=48 persons active in the state.
--Seventeen (17) people are making discharge measurements. These are generally in groups of 4 for safety reasons-they are being largely unsuccessful due to lack of access and unsafe conditions.
--Six (6) people are flagging HWMs along the coast, including two (2) persons from the Norcross office.
--Eighteen (18) people are on storm tide sensor recovery and surveying.
--Seven (7) people are providing coordination and data processing support in the office.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Twenty-three (23) persons are involved with the effort from our South Carolina offices, along with two (2) persons from the Norcross office. Additionally, seven (7) persons are assisting from the LMG (5) and IN-KY (2) WSCs. TOTAL=32 persons active in the state.
--Four (4) persons in 2-person crews are making flood measurements, including 2 from the IN-KY WSC.
--Twenty (20) persons are flagging HWMs, including two (2) persons from the Norcross office and LMG WSC.
--Three (3) persons are recovering and surveying SSSs.
--Five (5) persons are providing coordination and data processing support in the office.
GEORGIA
Twenty-five (25) staff are active from Georgia offices, plus 4 Georgia personnel assisting in the Carolinas. Additionally, four (4) persons from the NJ WSC are assisting along the Georgia coast. TOTAL= 29 persons.
--Two (2) are performing gage repairs.
--Eleven (11) are surveying HWMs, including the four persons from NJ WSC.
--Eight (8) are recovering and surveying SSSs.
--Three (3) are providing coordination and data processing support in the office.
--Five (5) persons are returning to Norcross after completing their tasks.
MOVING FORWARD.--
Planning for assisting North Carolina for flagging and surveying inland flooding riverine HWMs is still underway.