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Coastal officials know the importance of time-sensitive, accurate information when it comes to managing the impacts of hurricanes and tropical storms. The Internet hosts valuable information — typically in the form of data, tools, and maps — that can be used for this purpose. This guide highlights useful weather-related Internet resources available today. The resources have been organized in the categories of before, during, and after a storm.
Download the Storm Data Resource Guide
 Denotes sites with GIS compatible data.
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Before -- During -- After
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| BEFORE |
Storm Forecasts and Advisories
Information about the strength and location of a tropical system is used by officials involved with evacuations, shelter openings, and resource staging for post-storm recovery. Forecast advisories with current storm conditions are issued at least four times daily and may contain a list of all current watches and warnings, pertinent weather observations, and information on potential storm tides, rainfall, or tornadoes.
www.nhc.noaa.gov
(Current information is available under “Tropical Cyclone Forecasts and Advisories” from June 1 to November 30.) |
HURREVAC
This restricted-use computer program is used by emergency managers to assist in evacuation decision making. With over 3,500 registered users, it is the primary tool used by emergency managers for tracking and responding to tropical systems. HURREVAC components include general flood alerts, wind speed data, shelter facility information, and a whole host of pertinent information for emergency managers.
www.hurrevac.com |
Winds
Forecast data for wind direction and speed are available in three-hour forecasts. The data can be used to estimate the arrival of hurricane-force winds in an area, which in turn may affect the timing of evacuations and road closures.
Graphical forecasts:
www.weather.gov/forecasts/graphical/sectors/index.php
Conversion tool for National Digital Forecast Database:
www.nws.noaa.gov/mdl/NDFD_GRIB2Decoder/ |
Storm Surge
The greatest potential for hurricane-related loss of life is from storm surge. Hypothetical and real-time data from the Sea, Lake , and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) model help coastal officials determine which areas should be evacuated according to storm surge probabilities.
ftp.tpc.ncep.noaa.gov/surge
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High-Resolution Topography and Landcover
High-resolution topographic and landcover data are used to monitor shoreline erosion and accretion, calculate storm surge levels, conduct flood risk analyses, and address issues such as coastal development and resource management.
Hurricane-related products:
coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/
Topographic data:
www.csc.noaa.gov/ldart
Land cover:
www.csc.noaa.gov/crs/lca |
Tides and Water Levels
Tide and water level information can be used to determine potential storm surge and wave heights for locations in the path of a storm. Knowing when and where to expect abnormal conditions can help determine when advisories and evacuations should be issued.
NOAA’s nowCOAST:
www.nowcoast.noaa.gov/viewer.htm
NOAA National Data Buoy Center:
www.ndbc.noaa.gov
NOAA Tides and Currents:
tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/
Extratropical Water Level Forecast:
www.nws.noaa.gov/mdl/etsurge |
Flood Predictions
Inland flooding has been responsible for a large percentage of deaths associated with tropical cyclones. New data sources are making it easier to identify potential flooding problems in advance of an event. This information is then used to make important decisions about evacuations, property protections, and water resource management.
Flood forecasts:
www.weather.gov/ahps/forecasts.php
Flash flood guidance:
www.srh.noaa.gov/rfcshare/ffg.php?duration=3&location=NAT
Significant River flood outlook:
www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/nationalfloodoutlook/
Map of flood and high-flow conditions:
water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/?m=flood&w=map/&r=us
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Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
Risk and vulnerability assessments can help communities plan for the potential hazards associated with tropical storms. They step users through a process of identifying hazard zones and determining the relationship of these zones to the economic, environmental, social, and physical aspects of a community. Mitigation plans that are based on identified vulnerabilities can minimize storm impacts.
Community Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Tool:
www.csc.noaa.gov/rva_tools/
Coastal Risk Atlas:
www.ncddc.noaa.gov/cra/AssessmentTools/
Demographic Vulnerability Assessment Tool:
www.ncddc.noaa.gov/cra/AssessmentTools/overview
Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Assessment Tool:
www.ncddc.noaa.gov/cra/AssessmentTools/hazardoverview
U.S. Census Bureau:
www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/
ESRI Census Data Site:
arcdata.esri.com/data/tiger2000/tiger_download.cfm |
| New Products under Development |
Storm Surge Partnership Project – Enhancing the Resiliency of Coastal Communities to Storm Surge and Flooding through Improved Data, Models, Tools, and Methodologies
The Storm Surge Partnership project will work to help coastal communities mitigate damages from coastal storm surge and flooding. Visit the Web site to learn more about the project objectives, which include assessing the needs of the coastal management community, improving inundation maps, and testing prototype storm surge models.
Project website:
www.csc.noaa.gov/sspp/
Storm surge needs assessment:
maps.csc.noaa.gov/socialscience_2/stormsurge.jsp
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| DURING |
Satellites
Many different satellite sensors are used to obtain both qualitative and quantitative information on environmental conditions before, during, and after hurricanes. Satellite data are critical for the large expanses of ocean where airborne sensors are impractical or impossible, and where they can be used to monitor changes in the movement and structure of hurricanes. The various sensors provide timely temperature and water vapor measurements throughout the atmosphere.
NOAA Satellite Services Division Spatial Data Products GIS:
www.gis.ssd.nesdis.noaa.gov
NOAA Geostationary Satellite Server:
www.goes.noaa.gov/g8hu.html
NOAA Environmental Visualization:
www.nnvl.noaa.gov
Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Monterey Marine Meteorological Division’s Tropical Cyclone Page:
www.nrlmry.navy.mil/tc_pages/tc_home.html
Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)
Rapid Response System:
rapidfire.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/realtime/
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Local Radar
NEXRAD (Next Generation Radar) is used to monitor severe weather, such as hurricanes and tropical storms, particularly when these systems approach the coast. The monitoring network gives forecasters detailed information on hurricane wind fields, rain intensity, and storm movement. Forecasters use this information to issue short-term warnings for floods, tornadoes, and high winds for specific areas.
radar.weather.gov
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C-SIDE
C-SIDE is a comprehensive Storm Information Center providing direct linkage to local, state and national information resources pertaining to severe weather preparation and monitoring across the Gulf of Mexico coastal region.
ecowatch.ncddc.noaa.gov/c-side |
| New Products under Development |
Ocean Observing Systems
Buoys, satellites, and other remote sensing technology are bringing new sources of ocean-related data to forecasters and other coastal officials. The ocean observing system is envisioned as a network that systematically acquires and disseminates data and information to serve the needs of many user groups.
www.ocean.us |
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| AFTER |
Track Analysis – Best Track
Archived tropical cyclone tracks are referred to as “best tracks.” These are constructed using a variety of observations captured during storms. Best track data are published annually and are typically made available several months following the conclusion of the hurricane season. Forecasters use these data to develop models to predict the course of future storms. Coastal planners formulate “return periods” to identify areas that may be susceptible to future strikes.
Historical Hurricane Tracks:
hurricane.csc.noaa.gov/hurricanes/
National Hurricane Center products from past seasons:
www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml
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Shoreline Change
Historical and modern data sources, models, and tools help coastal communities observe how much coastal change can occur during extreme storms and normal weather patterns. Aerial video, photography, and Light Detection and Ranging (lidar) data are used to develop, verify, and enhance predictive models and flood forecasts. State and local officials may use this information to create setback zones and to locate buildings and infrastructure away from coastal change hazards.
National Assessment of Shoreline Change:
coastal.er.usgs.gov/shoreline-change
Hurricane and Extreme Storm Impact Studies:
coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/
Aerial photographs of hurricane paths:
www.ngs.noaa.gov
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High Resolution Topography and Land Cover
High-resolution topographic and land cover data are used to monitor shoreline erosion and accretion, calculate storm surge levels, conduct flood risk analyses, and address issues such as coastal development and resource management.
Hurricane-related products:
coastal.er.usgs.gov/hurricanes/
Topographic data:
www.csc.noaa.gov/ldart
Land cover:
www.csc.noaa.gov/ldart |
Environmental Effects
Officials use Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps and software packages specific to oil spill responders, as well as other databases, maps, and information to respond to chemical spills.
These products can help officials locate sensitive species or habitats, provide instructions on how to clean up toxic chemicals, and assist communities with implementing or improving a hazardous response program.
response.restoration.noaa.gov |
Precipitation and Flood Analysis
In an average year in the U.S., inland flooding is the cause of an estimated 133 lost lives and property damage that exceeds $4 billion. The NOAA National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) Web site displays forecasts of flooding or drought magnitude to help local and state officials monitor impending flood conditions and conduct more effective operations during floods.
North Carolina to Texas and Puerto Rico:
www.srh.noaa.gov/rfcshare/precip_analysis.php
Continental U.S. and Puerto Rico (experimental):
water.weather.gov
River forecasts and real-time river gage information:
www.weather.gov/ahps
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Damage Assessment and Post-Storm Impact Data
By documenting major weather events, coastal officials can obtain damage and casualty statistics, major economic impacts, and reports on types of damage. This information can assist in targeting areas for damage assessment teams and response activities, testing and assessing model outputs, and identifying geographic areas for future mitigation projects.
National Hurricane Center products from past seasons:
www.nhc.noaa.gov/pastall.shtml
Significant event service assessments from the National Weather Service:
www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/index.shtml
Storm reports from the Storm Prediction Center:
www.spc.noaa.gov/climo/
Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory surface wind analysis:
www.aoml.noaa.gov/hrd/data_sub/wind.html
National Geodetic Survey emergency response imagery:
ngs.woc.noaa.gov/eri_page/ |
Hurricane Climatology
Planning for coastal hazards depends on both short-term coastal weather factors and longer term climatic influences. A better understanding of climatic conditions and climate history can provide coastal officials with an objective basis for making management and planning decisions.
Return frequency for hurricane landfall based on ENSO phase:
gis.coaps.fsu.edu/httpdocs/Rtrn.php
National Climatic Data Center Atlantic hurricane climatology:
www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/hurricane-climatology.html
National Climatic Data Center landfalling hurricane maps and reports:
www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/hurricanes.html
National Climatic Data Center U.S. climate at a glance:
www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/cag3/cag3.html
El Niño:
www.elnino.noaa.gov |
| New Products under Development |
Topobathy
Combining high-resolution topography and bathymetry (topobathy) can provide a complete and accurate representation of the coastal zone. These data sets can be used for site characterizations, change analysis, and hydrographic models.
Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise (JALBTCX) and topobathy sensors:
shoals.sam.usace.army.mil/
VDatum transformation tool:
nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/csdl/vdatum.htm |
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