PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (GA NC SC) SAWSC Finalizes Preparations for Hurricane Dorian

Date: Wed, 04 Sep 2019 11:11:58 EDT

Summary: USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) finalizes deploying storm tide sensors in the Carolinas in preparation for Hurricane Dorian

The USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) comprises the states of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. All three are engaged in activities in preparation for Hurricane Dorian. Slight shift of the track to the west which increases impacts to Savannah, Charleston, and further up the coast. Major coastal flood forecast for Savannah and Charleston.

By state:

North Carolina: USGS is finalizing deploying rapid-deployment gages (RDGs) and storm surge sensors today under a FEMA mission assignment. Currently, six (6) persons are in the field, with four (4) driving home while two (2) persons finishing a sensor deployment. As of this report, ten (10) RDGs and fifty-eight (58) water-level sensors and 27 wave sensors have been installed so far.

South Carolina: USGS has four (4) persons in the field today running levels to RDGs and storm surge sensors under a FEMA mission assignment. All other persons have returned home. As of this report, nine (9) RDGs and sixty-nine (69) storm-tide sensors have been installed. Evacuation of eight (8) coastal counties is ongoing. The Charleston office is closed today.

Georgia: USGS personnel have completed deployment of fifty-five (55) storm surge sensors and twelve (12) RDGs along the Georgia coast as of noon Sunday. Preparation for recovery operations is ongoing. All personnel have returned home. The six (6) coastal counties of Georgia are under mandatory evacuation. The Savannah office is closed today.

Total deployment numbers for SAWSC:
RDGs = 31 RDGs
Storm Tide Sensors = 182 storm-tide/27 wave sensors

Other information:

Dorian Flood Event Viewer URL: https://stn.wim.usgs.gov/fev/#2019HurricaneDorian

Dorian real-time dashboard:
https://webapps.usgs.gov/dorian/

SAWSC field personnel continue to perform a number of media interviews.

SAWSC-Norcross office is staging location for USGS drone teams for preparation of potential deployment to coastal areas.