Use of Sensors and Rapid Deployment Gages for Storm … · better calibrate storm surge models ......

U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological Survey

Mid Atlantic Geospatial Transportation Users Group

MeetingNovember 2, 2011Dover, Delaware

Use of Sensors and Rapid

Deployment Gages for Storm Surge Data from Coastal Storms

Intent of Storm Surge Sensors (SSS) Pilot Program

History of SSS Pilot ProgramRoles & ResponsibilitiesDesigning a SSS NetworkSensors & HousingsTimeline of Storm EventResults

Where Do You Want to Go Today?

Intent of SSS Test Program

Storm Surge Monitoring

A USGS program to monitor the areal extent and time hydrograph of hurricane storm surge for better documentation and modeling using rapid-deployment gages

Intent of SSS Test Program

Storm Surge Monitoring

The data from this program is used to better calibrate storm surge models for more accurate surge forecasting caused by hurricanes.

Traditional surge documentation was high water marks

Never have collected continuous hydrographs of surge before

• Idea created by staff at Ruston, LA Program Office following Katrina (2005)

• Quickly deployed for Rita (2005) in LA• Wilma (2005) in FL• Three SSS Centers created in 2006

(Ruston, Atlanta, and Orlando)• Ernesto (2006) in Carolinas• Deployed for Dean in South TX (2007)• Formalized by line item for 2008 USGS

budget• Deployed for Hanna, Gustav and Ike

(2008)• No deployments in 2009• Maximum 1 small deployment in 2010

History of SSS Pilot ProgramStorm Surge Monitoring

• Project Oversight—OSW • Storm Surge Centers

• Ruston, LA• Atlanta, GA• Orlando, FL

• Water Science Centers• Director

Roles and Responsibilities

Chain of Command OSW

Ruston Atlanta Orlando

TXLAMSAL

VANCSCGA

FLPR

Prior to start of seasonOSW & SSC planning period

Prior to landfallAssign SSC primary lead & teamsAssign WSC Communications leadDeploy sensors

After landfallSensor Recovery and processingCooperator/media outreach

Post-stormSurveying (if needed)Data Analysis and ReportingPrep for next storm

Roles and ResponsibilitiesCommunication & Coordination

OSW

Ruston Atlanta Orlando

TXLAMSAL

VANCSCGA

FLPR

• FRT will be at least 2 persons• 1 from SSC, 1 from local WSC

• May be 2 persons from SSC or other SSCs• Minimum 2 FRTs per storm• Satellite and cellular phones

• Call CC after each deployment or hourly during deployment

• Evacuate the area 12 hours prior to landfall

Roles and Responsibilities

Safety of Field Response Teams (FRTs)

• Pre-determined sites• Selected from map and surge model

analysis• Some may be pre-reconned• Some may have been deployed at

previously

• Opportunistic sites• Location determined during pre-deployment

meeting and during deployment• “On-the-fly”

SSS Network Design

Types of Sites

• Sensor location in water column• Expected surge height• Variability in Projected Storm Path• Datum Control• Barrier Islands• Accessibility• Proximity to Population Centers• Proximity to Existing Real-Time Gages• Quality-Assurance of SSS• Location of Barometric Pressure Sensors• Local WSC needs

SSS Network Design

Site Selection Factors

• Onset HOBO pressure transducer (196 total)• Uses USB docking station to download data• Non-vented pressure transducer• 0-30 foot range• Internal battery must be factory replaced• Used for 30-second data intervals• Used as both BP and Surge sensors

• Insitu TROLL pressure sensor (32 total, RT & salinity)• Non-vented pressure transducer• 0-35.8 foot range• SDI-12• Used for 2-second data intervals (wave height)

Sensors and Housings

Sensor Types

• Housing Pipe• Housing Cap• Sensor Eye Bolt• Ratchet Strap• USGS Visual Identity Sticker

Sensors and Housings

Housing

• Pre-Deployment Meeting• Sensor Deployment• Landfall Stand-By• Pre-Recovery Meeting• Sensor Recovery• Post-Storm Wrapup

Timeline of Storm EventStep-by-Step

Deployment-Irenehttp://wim.usgs.gov/stormtidemapper/stormtidemapper.html#

Deployment-Irene (Locally)

• 70 total sensors deployed• 53 water level• 17 barometric pressure• 3 Rapid Deployment Gages• 1 sites monitored riverine

flooding• 2-4 feet approximate

maximum surge recorded

Deployment-Irene (Locally)

Results-Irene (SSS)

Results-Irene (SSS)

Results-Irene (SSS)

Results-Irene (SSS)

Results-Irene (SSS-Riverine)

Rapid Deployment Gage (RDG)

Instrumentation•Radar Gage•Barometer•Humidity/Temperature•Rain gage•Wind speed•DCP

22

Results-Irene (Location of RDG’s)

Results-Irene (RDG-Smyrna River)

Results-Irene (RDG-Indian River Inlet)

SummaryProgram has been activated for many storms since

2005

Standard Operations Plan in place for non-real-time sensor deployment

All information online at:

http:water.usgs.gov/osw/floods/2011_HIrene/

Efforts have attracted numerous media including The Weather Channel and CNN

Questions?

Anthony Tallman(302) 734-2506 x223atallman@usgs.gov