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U.S. Geological Survey crews in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas measuring flooding and deploying additional gauges

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U.S. Geological Survey crews in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas measuring flooding and deploying additional gauges

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NOTE: This article was last updated on August 9, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST.

In Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, dozens of U.S. Geological Survey workers measured flooding, repaired water gauges and installed Rapid instrument deployment Response to Tropical Storm Debbie. This work is ongoing while assessing needs.

Data from manual measurements and rapidly deployed gauges can be used to respond to immediate needs in affected communities. Emergency managers and local authorities can use the data to provide flood forecasts and make decisions, such as which areas to evacuate and when to close roads and bridges.

Rapidly deploying gauges provide near real-time information about water levels and flows in areas prone to flooding. Rapidly deploying gauges complement the U.S. Geological Survey’s existing network of 11,000 water level gauges across the country. Information from this network and other gauges informs other federal, state and emergency agencies’ decisions to save lives and property.

The USGS also conducts manual measurements of surface water levels in certain areas as needed. Manual observations are usually made in places where there are no water level gauges, or compared with nearby water level gauge data to ensure accuracy.

Below is the U.S. Geological Survey’s response to Tropical Storm Debbie, summarized by state and noting data collection and forecast activities and any significant flood measurements.

After Tropical Storm Debbie made landfall in Florida, communities experienced severe flooding, which was documented by the U.S. Geological Survey’s streamflow gaging network. USGS scientists manually collected streamflow gaging data—how much water flows and how fast it flows—at various locations in the Tampa Bay area. As of August 8, technicians had taken 51 measurements. Four of the measurements were recorded at these locationsincluding the preliminary highest measurement ever recorded at Gamble Creek near Parrish, Florida.

Click here Check live Streamflow data from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Florida Stream Gage Network, which includes 440 stream gages in the state operated by the USGS Caribbean Florida Water Science Center.

Georgia

So far, USGS technicians in Georgia have taken 21 manual flood gauges. Preliminary data show three of those flood levels were record highs: one at Beaverdam Creek near Sardis, another at the Ogeechee River near Rocky Ford, and a third at the Little Satilla River near Offerman. Those were the highest recorded flood levels in the 38, 20, and 72 years since the USGS began measuring water levels at those locations.

The U.S. Geological Survey installed a rapid-deployment gauge on Tuesday to help track rising water levels and flows near the Lotz Creek intersection on I-16. The Georgia Department of Transportation requested the gauge because of rising water levels from rainfall and overloaded upstream dams.

Click here Check live Streamflow data from the USGS Georgia Hydrograph Network. The USGS operates 406 hydrographs in Georgia, maintained by the USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center.

South Carolina

U.S. Geological Survey technicians conducted 58 manual flood measurements in South Carolina. The team of technicians installed high-level secondary sensors in the Greenville, South Carolina area. These types of sensors serve as backups to permanent gauges to ensure accurate data.

In addition to the permanent stream gauges, the U.S. Geological Survey installed eight rapid-deployment gauges on Tuesday and Wednesday to help track Water level rise and flowThe meters were installed at the request of the South Carolina Department of Transportation and are deployed along transportation routes.

Click here Check live Streamflow data from the USGS South Carolina hydrographic network. The USGS operates 294 hydrographic gauges in South Carolina, maintained by the USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center.

USGS technicians conducted 62 manual flood measurements at 35 locations across North Carolina. USGS stream gauges recorded two peaks at Long Creek near Lane and Hospen Creek near Greensboro, which have been in operation for 24 and 22 years, respectively.

Click here Check live Streamflow data from the USGS North Carolina stream gage network. The USGS operates 294 stream gages in North Carolina.

Additional USGS Resources

As the U.S. Geological Survey continues to respond to areas affected by Hurricane Debbie, people in the hurricane’s projected path can visit Ready.gov or Listo website Get tips on developing an emergency plan and assembling an emergency supply kit.

The U.S. Geological Survey provides scientific data for a changing world. For more information, visit United States Geological Survey Or follow us on Facebook @USGeologicalSurveyYoutube @U.S. Geological SurveyInstagram @U.S. Geological Surveyor X (formerly known as Twitter) @U.S. Geological Survey.



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