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The National Ocean Service brings a wealth of coastal science, management, and operational expertise to aid communities impacted by hurricanes in their recovery. We are on the front lines to help America understand, predict, and respond to the challenges facing our oceans and coasts. Learn about hurricanes and explore our roles and responsibilities related to hurricane preparedness, response, and recovery.
The Disaster Preparedness Program (DPP), initiated in 2018 by the Office of Response and Restoration, expands on the activities of NOAA's Disaster Response Center in Mobile, Alabama. The program streamlines existing operational capabilities and knowledge to ensure that commerce, communities, and natural resources can recover as quickly as possible. The DPP also focuses on providing disaster response and recovery training, exercises, lessons learned, and resources within NOAA and to our emergency response partners across the nation to ensure that we are in the best possible position to respond to coastal threats quickly, safely, and effectively.
Water-level MonitoringThe Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) monitors and disseminates observations of water levels, currents, and weather information in real time via the National Water Level Observation Network and the Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System. Collected real-time environmental information helps coastal authorities prepare for, mitigate, and respond to storm tides and coastal flooding. NOS also regularly updates the storm-specific Coastal Inundation Dashboard, an online compilation of ocean and weather observations within a coastal area.
Water-level Monitoring Tools:
NOAA coordinates the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®). This public/private partnership provides ocean and coastal data and information from multiple sources to support preparation and response efforts and to inform forecasts and predictions ahead of hurricanes. For example, the IOOS regions collect data inside the hurricane with unmanned, underwater robotic vehicles to increase understanding of hurricane intensity, and that information is made available through national and regional data portals and integrated into partner systems such as PORTS®. In addition, radar systems measure surface current speed and direction as hurricanes pass through, to aid models and forecasts. IOOS also partners with National Weather Service (NWS) to make High Frequency radar data accessible through the NWS Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System and National Centers for Environmental Prediction data tanks. IOOS data helps decision makers protect our safety, economy, and environment.
Observations Data Tools:
Immediately following a hurricane, the Office of Coast Survey provides emergency hydrographic services for affected port areas. These services are performed by Navigation Response Teams. These mobile emergency response units use echo sounders to check for submerged obstructions that pose hazards to vessels, collect data to update nautical charts, and provide mapping support. The work of these teams is essential to speeding the re-opening of ports and waterways. As of 2018, inventory of Coast Survey's Navigation Response branch also now includes portable Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) equipment capable of conducting singlebeam/sidescan sonar and multibeam surveys. Navigation Response Teams are working to integrate this mobile, unmanned equipment into operations in support of their standard survey operations and emergency response operations.
As soon as weather permits following major natural disasters, the National Geodetic Survey begins aerial survey missions to assess damages to affected areas. Typical weather-related events include hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. NGS responds to other events, such as oil spills, as well. Directly georeferenced-imagery data are collected, rapidly processed, and made available via open-source Geographic Information Systems (GIS). These data and images provide emergency and coastal managers with information needed to develop recovery strategies, facilitate search and rescue efforts, identify hazards to navigation and HAZMAT spills, locate errant vessels, and provide documentation necessary for damage assessment through the comparison of before-and-after imagery. Images are also available to view and download by the general public as a tool to assess impacts to their homes and community.
Emergency Response Imagery Tools:
After a hurricane, the Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R) provides scientific support to hazardous materials response efforts in coastal areas. The office surveys vessels or containers that may be leaking fuel, oil, or other hazardous materials; flies missions to identify and document spill sources; and uses computer models to predict spill movement and determine pollution threats. OR&R also provides guidance on marine debris and vessel salvage, conducts shoreline cleanup assessments, collects information to understand natural resource impacts from spills in affected areas, and works to assess and restore resources injured by spills.
Pollution Response Tools:
NOAA’s National Status and Trends (NS&T) Program, part of the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, coordinates with multiple partners to develop strategies to assess the environmental impacts of contaminants in coastal and estuarine waters in the aftermath of hurricanes. Of special concern is assessing the risk to human health of eating fish and shellfish and ensuring seafood safety.
The Office of Response and Restoration's Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®) integrates static and real-time data for science based decisions in one common operational picture for emergency response. Following a hurricane, the Office for Coastal Management provides access to the aerial images collected by the National Geodetic Survey needed to generate maps that help officials understand the long-term effects of the hurricane.
Maps and Data Analysis Tools:
The Effects of Sea Level Rise Event Response (ESLR ER) Program, part of the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, provides immediate assistance to individuals to gather data prior, during, and/or immediately after hurricanes and other events that are difficult to plan as part of a scientific study. The program expects these findings will help federal, state, and local officials manage events and make sound decisions leading to safer coastal communities and healthier coastal environments.
The Office for Coastal Management provides access to aerial imagery and elevation data to assist in long-term recovery planning in areas impacted by a hurricane. Staff may assist in the development of coastal project plans, coordinate with other federal and state organizations involved in recovery planning, and assist with the design and implementation of activities to involve local communities in planning for their own long-term recovery.
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