Real-Time Storm Response
Science Center Objects
Coastal change forecasts and pre- and post-storm photos documenting coastal change for landfalling storms. Currently responding to Hurricane Dorian.
To better understand storm impacts on the coast, the USGS National Assessment of Storm-Induced Coastal Change Hazards group will often respond to landfalling events. A response is triggered by a number of factors including events where landfall has a high likelihood of causing significant coastal change, where there are expected to be significant societal or ecosystem impacts, or where there are overlaps with ongoing research or applied efforts.
Response activities include:
- Documenting pre-storm morphology using lidar topography, oblique aerial photography, and ground GPS surveys to determine the state of the beach before storm impact.
- Forecasting the probability of coastal change by comparing modeled elevations of storm-induced water levels to known elevations of coastal topography.
- Measuring post-storm morphology using lidar topography, oblique aerial photography, and ground GPS surveys to determine the state of the beach after storm impact.
- Quantifying storm-induced coastal change including dune elevation change, shoreline change, and volume change by comparing pre- and post-storm morphology.
- Evaluating and improving accuracy of pre-storm forecast of coastal change.
- Updating scenario-based coastal change forecasts using post-storm beach morphology.
To view probabilities of coastal change for the entire U.S. coast during generalized storm conditions, see the USGS Coastal Change Hazards Portal.
Storm Forecasts and Documenation of Coastal Change
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2012
2011
2005
-
Date published: September 13, 2019Status: ActiveHurricane Dorian - Forecast and Documentation of Coastal Change
Hurricane Dorian coastal change forecast and pre- and post-storm photos documenting coastal change.
Contacts: Kara Doran -
Date published: March 30, 2018Status: CompletedHurricane Isaac - Forecast and Documentation of Coastal Change
Hurricane Isaac coastal change forecast, pre- and post-storm photos, and lidar elevation maps document coastal change.
Attribution: St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: March 28, 2018Status: CompletedHurricane Joaquin - Forecast and Documentation of Coastal Change
Hurricane Joaquin coastal change forecast and pre- and post-storm photos documenting coastal change.
Contacts: Joseph Long, Kara Doran -
Date published: February 1, 2018Status: ActiveHurricane Matthew - Forecast and Documentation of Coastal Change
Hurricane Matthew coastal change forecast and pre- and post-storm photos documenting coastal change.
Contacts: Joseph Long, Kara Doran -
Date published: February 1, 2018Status: Active
Hurricane Matthew - Forecast and Documentation of Coastal Change
Hurricane Matthew coastal change forecast and pre- and post-storm photos documenting coastal change.
Contacts: Joseph Long, Kara Doran -
Date published: February 1, 2018Status: CompletedHurricane Harvey - Forecast and Documentation of Coastal Change
Hurricane Harvey coastal change forecast and pre- and post-storm photos documenting coastal change.
Contacts: Joseph Long, Kara Doran -
Date published: January 30, 2018Status: ActiveHurricane Irma - Forecast and Documentation of Coastal Change
Hurricane Irma coastal change forecast and pre- and post-storm photos documenting coastal change.
Contacts: Joseph Long, Kara Doran -
Date published: January 25, 2018Status: CompletedHurricane Nate - Forecast and Documentation of Coastal Change
Hurricane Nate coastal change forecast and pre- and post-storm photos documenting coastal change.
Contacts: Joseph Long, Kara Doran -
Date published: January 18, 2018Status: ActiveNational Assessment of Storm-Induced Coastal Change Hazards
This project focuses on understanding the magnitude and variability of extreme storm impacts on sandy beaches. The overall objective is to improve real-time and scenario-based predictions of coastal change to support management of coastal infrastructure, resources, and safety.
Contacts: Kara DoranAttribution: Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Region 2: South Atlantic-Gulf (Includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Region 4: Mississippi Basin, Region 6: Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas-Gulf, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center -
Date published: January 17, 2018Status: ActiveNational Assessment of Coastal Change Hazards
Research to identify areas that are most vulnerable to coastal change hazards including beach and dune erosion, long-term shoreline change, and sea-level rise.
Attribution: Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian, Region 2: South Atlantic-Gulf (Includes Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), Region 4: Mississippi Basin, Region 6: Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas-Gulf, Region 9: Columbia-Pacific Northwest, Region 11: Alaska, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Lidar-derived beach morphology (dune crest, dune toe, and shoreline) for U.S. sandy coastlines
The USGS National Assessment of Coastal Change Hazards project aims to identify areas of the nation’s coastline that are most vulnerable to extreme storms and long-term shoreline change. These assessments require coastal elevation data across diverse geographic regions and covering a time span of many years. The datasets published here,...
Doran, Kara; Long, Joseph W.; Birchler, Justin; Brenner, Owen T.; Hardy, Matthew; Morgan, Karen L. M.; Stockdon, Hilary F.; Torres, Miguel Loubriel Testing model parameters for wave‐induced dune erosion using observations from Hurricane Sandy
Models of dune erosion depend on a set of assumptions that dictate the predicted evolution of dunes throughout the duration of a storm. Lidar observations made before and after Hurricane Sandy at over 800 profiles with diverse dune elevations, widths, and volumes are used to quantify specific dune erosion model parameters including the dune face...
Overbeck, Jacquelyn R.; Long, Joseph W.; Stockdon, Hilary F. Evaluation of wave runup predictions from numerical and parametric models
Wave runup during storms is a primary driver of coastal evolution, including shoreline and dune erosion and barrier island overwash. Runup and its components, setup and swash, can be predicted from a parameterized model that was developed by comparing runup observations to offshore wave height, wave period, and local beach slope. Because...
Stockdon, Hilary F.; Thompson, David M.; Plant, Nathaniel G.; Long, Joseph W. Scaling coastal dune elevation changes across storm-impact regimes
Extreme storms drive change in coastal areas, including destruction of dune systems that protect coastal populations. Data from four extreme storms impacting four geomorphically diverse barrier islands are used to quantify dune elevation change. This change is compared to storm characteristics to identify variability in dune response, improve...
Long, Joseph W.; de Bakker, Anouk T. M.; Plant, Nathaniel G. Forecasting hurricane impact on coastal topography: Hurricane Ike
Extreme storms can have a profound impact on coastal topography and thus on ecosystems and human-built structures within coastal regions. For instance, landfalls of several recent major hurricanes have caused significant changes to the U.S. coastline, particularly along the Gulf of Mexico. Some of these hurricanes (e.g., Ivan in 2004, Katrina and...
Plant, Nathaniel G.; Stockdon, Hilary F.; Sallenger,, Asbury H.; Turco, Michael J.; East, Jeffery W.; Taylor, Arthur A.; Shaffer, Wilson A. National assessment of hurricane-induced coastal change vulnerability
No abstract available.
Stockdon, Hilary F.; Plant, Nathaniel G.; Sallenger,, Asbury H. Extraction of lidar-based dune-crest elevations for use in examining the vulnerability of beaches to inundation during hurricanes
The morphology of coastal sand dunes plays an important role in determining how a beach will respond to a hurricane. Accurate measurements of dune height and position are essential for assessing the vulnerability of beaches to extreme coastal change during future landfalls. Lidar topographic surveys provide rapid, accurate, high-resolution...
Stockdon, H.F.; Doran, K.S.; Sallenger, A.H.
Coastal Change Hazards Portal
Interactive access to coastal change science and data for our Nation’s coasts. Information and products are organized within three coastal change hazard themes: 1) extreme storms, 2) shoreline change, and 3) sea-level rise. Displays probabilities of coastal erosion.
-
Date published: January 19, 2018Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast Viewer
Total water level (TWL) at the shoreline is the combination of tides, surge, and wave runup. A forecast of TWL is an estimate of the elevation where the ocean will meet the coast and can provide guidance on potential coastal erosion and flooding hazards.
-
Date published: October 9, 2018USGS: Hurricane surge likely to erode 75% of Florida Panhandle beaches
One-fourth of beachfront could be inundated by large storm waves, experts predict
To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Michael, visit the USGS Hurricane Michael page at usgs.gov/hurricane-michael.
-
Date published: September 11, 2018USGS: Florence Likely to Cause Short- and Long-Term Beach Erosion
Initial effect will probably be erosion on 75 percent of North Carolina beaches, experts say.
To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Florence, visit the USGS Hurricane Florence page at https://www.usgs.gov/florence.
-
Date published: October 6, 2017Before and After: Coastal Change Caused by Hurricane Irma
New high angle oblique photos of portions of Florida’s beaches taken before and after Hurricane Irma made landfall and swept up the state show the impact of the hurricane’s storm surge and waves.
-
Date published: October 6, 2017Hurricane Nate Will Affect Most Gulf Beaches, USGS Projects
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2 pm Saturday, October 7. For the latest graphic showing USGS predictions of the sandy coastal areas likely to be affected by Hurricane Nate, click here.
More information about USGS science in response to Hurricane Nate is at www.usgs.gov/nate
-
Date published: September 26, 2017Hurricane Maria expected to alter North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland Beaches
To learn more about USGS’ role providing science to decision makers before, during and after Hurricane Maria, visit the USGS Hurricane Maria page at https://www.usgs.gov/maria.
-
Date published: September 22, 2017USGS Continues Response to Four Hurricanes
As thousands of people remain displaced by or are recovering from one of the four hurricanes that have affected the United States the past month, the U.S. Geological Survey is in the field providing science that will help with recovery from these historic hurricanes and with preparing for the next storm.
Attribution: Natural Hazards, Emergency Management -
Date published: June 1, 2017As Hurricane Season Opens, USGS Is Ready
Scientists work in the field before, during and after landfall to improve forecasting and recovery.