USGS Data Helps Communities Understand and Respond to Inland Flooding Caused by Hurricanes

Hurricanes and tropical storms pose threats to more than just coastal areas, sometimes tracking well inland and causing flooding in waterways that can last for weeks. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides data and tools that can help all communities with knowing where flooding is occurring, how significant it might be, and where waters are rising.

The USGS provides this vital flood data via a nationwide network of more than 11,000 permanent streamgages installed along rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs. These streamgages provide near real-time information on water levels, with most also providing data on the volume of water flowing. Data from these streamgages are available online on the USGS National Water Dashboard. This interactive website also delivers real-time precipitation, atmospheric, water-quality and groundwater data from more than 16,000 USGS observation stations across the country. Additionally, the USGS makes available data from rapid deployment gauges, which are installed quickly in areas not monitored year-round by streamgages, via its online Flood Event Viewer tool. These gauges provide near real-time information to the public and emergency managers tracking floodwaters, including on water levels, precipitation, wind speed, humidity, and barometric pressure. Read more at USGS.