USGS Flood Information   

• 2011 Flood Events
• Hurricane Irene
• Storm Tide and RDGs

USGS Storm Tide and Rapid Deployment Gages used during Hurricane Irene

Prior to the arrival of Hurricane Irene, the USGS Storm Tide Team deployed a total of 203 storm tide sensors, 70 barometric pressure sensors, 3 wave height sensors, and 11 Rapid Deployment Gages (RDGs) along the east coast of the United States extending from South Carolina to Maine. The storm tide sensors do not provide real-time data but are used to record the event and provide water-level data to determine the extent of the storm tide inundation and the depth of water over the land surface. Barometric pressure sensor data are used to adjust the recorded water level data and may also be used by meteorologists to document weather conditions. Rapid Deployment Gages perform a function similar to the storm tide sensors in that they record the water level data but they also provide those data on a real time basis. Some RDGs also record and transmit real time meteorological data. Information from these instruments has been retrieved and posted for display on the USGS Hurricane Irene Flood Event Viewer.

In addition to storm tide data, high water marks were identified and preserved to provide additional documentation for the extent of inundation and depth of water from both storm tide and inland riverine flooding.

Definitions

Hurricane Irene data sites

Storm Tide

Temporary instrument that records storm-tide data (abnormal rise in sea level accompanying hurricanes).

Rapid deployment streamgages

Temporary streamgages setup to provide short-term water-level data for critical areas lacking streamgages during an event.

Wave height

Temporary instrument that records wave height (recording intervals of 2 secs. or less).

Barometric pressure

Temporary atmospheric pressure recorders used to correct the storm tide data.

High Water Marks

Physical or natural evidence of previous water levels. Click here for more info.

Real-time gaging sites

Streamgages

Location on a watercourse where systematic observations of stage and/or flow are measured. For more information about streamgages, see NWIS Web Interface.

Tide gages

Gages that record long-term tidal water level.

Tidal crest gages

Gages that record maximum tide for observation period (months or years).

Interested in learning more?

A more comprehensive discussion of USGS efforts during hurricanes can be found in this article:

USGS Streamgaging Program Prepares for Future Hurricanes To Ensure the Availability of Flood Data Before, During, and After the Storm