Flooded house in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in Mantoloking, New Jersey
Hurricane Sandy made a variety of impacts along the highly populated northeastern Atlantic seaboard in October 2012. Improved understanding of these impacts will better prepare us for the next one. As a result the USGS science provides a strong foundation for decision makers, planners and resource managers.
Research Themes
USGS scientists are working to assess forecast effectiveness, improve how we share information, and identify gaps to improve the information and tools we provide.
Over 160 of our scientists, technicians, and specialists responded to Hurricane Sandy by deploying field equipment and capturing information both before and after the storm. The USGS Sandy Science Plan identifies major research themes that support recovery activities as well as develop tools that prepare us for the future.
- Coastal Elevation Data and Mapping - Assess and evaluate coastal vulnerability and hazards.
- Understanding Coastal Change - Understanding changes to our coastlines over both short and long periods of time.
- Coastal Hydrology and Storm Surge - Developing a storm tide monitoring network and data analysis capability.
- Environmental Quality and Contaminants - Floodwaters and inundation in urban environments have the potential to coastal and aquatic environments to contaminants.
- Coastal Ecosystem Impacts - Documenting and evaluating impacts on coastal ecosystems.
Storm Readiness
USGS provides data and tools to support the Nation’s preparedness and ability to respond to and recover from natural hazard events. Funds provided through the Congressional Sandy Supplemental Appropriation support USGS in enhancing many data display tools and data delivery mechanisms. These datasets and products are being produced across the Science Themes to meet the needs of emergency managers, planners, engineers, and scientists.
Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
SWaTH consists of 71 existing and new flood-hardened, real-time telemetered tide gages, 61 RDGs (Rapidly deployable real-time gages), and up to 555 temporary STSs (mobile Storm Tide Sensors). The STSs will be deployed in three distinct but integrated network configurations consisting of (1) a distributed array of stations representing the range of landscape types and infrastructure subject to surge and wave forces, (2) along transects from the coastline through the inland resource of concern (e.g. a wetland or coastal community), and (3) at existing tide and river monitoring stations where new data can be integrated with long-term records.
Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliancy and Response (SCoRR)
As part of the US Geological Survey (USGS) response to Hurricane Sandy, a Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) strategy has been developed to define baseline and post-event sediment-bound environmental health stressors. This strategy will be demonstrated as a pilot study in the Northeastern US. The SCoRR strategy utilizes a tiered, multi-metric approach to:
- Identify and map contaminant sources and potential exposure pathways for human and ecological receptors,
- Define the baseline mixtures of EH stressors present in sediments (Resilience Mode),
- Document post-event changes in EH stressors present in sediments (Response Mode), and
- Establish and apply metrics to quantify changes in coastal resilience associated with sediment-bound contaminants.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Barnegat Bay Restoration Science
New Jersey Coastal Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Coastal Storm Response Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) Strategy
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Flooded house in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in Mantoloking, New Jersey
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. This house in Mantoloking, NJ was partly collapsed after Hurricane Sandy's storm tide receded.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. This house in Mantoloking, NJ was partly collapsed after Hurricane Sandy's storm tide receded.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. Houses, cars and a street in Seaside Heights, NJ were covered in beach sand after Hurricane Sandy's storm tide receded.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. Houses, cars and a street in Seaside Heights, NJ were covered in beach sand after Hurricane Sandy's storm tide receded.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. This house in Seaside Heights, NJ lost part of its foundation, leaving a front porch suspended in mid-air.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. This house in Seaside Heights, NJ lost part of its foundation, leaving a front porch suspended in mid-air.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Hurricane Sandy washover deposits on southern Long Beach Island, New Jersey
The impact of onsite wastewater disposal systems on groundwater in areas inundated by Hurricane Sandy in New York and New Jersey
Regional variability in bed-sediment concentrations of wastewater compounds, hormones and PAHs for portions of coastal New York and New Jersey impacted by hurricane Sandy
Resetting the bar: Establishing baselines for persistent contaminants after Hurricane Sandy in the coastal environments of New Jersey and New York, USA
Regional assessment of persistent organic pollutants in resident mussels from New Jersey and New York estuaries following Hurricane Sandy
Sediment chemistry and toxicity in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey: Pre- and post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012–13
Radar and optical mapping of surge persistence and marsh dieback along the New Jersey Mid-Atlantic coast after Hurricane Sandy
Young of the year bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) as a bioindicator of estuarine health: Establishing a new baseline for persistent organic pollutants after Hurricane Sandy for selected estuaries in New Jersey and New York
Back-Island and Open-Ocean Shorelines, and Sand Areas of the Undeveloped Areas of New Jersey Barrier Islands, March 9, 1991, to July 30, 2013
Chemical and ancillary data associated with bed sediment, young of year Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) tissue, and mussel (Mytilus edulis and Geukensia demissa) tissue collected after Hurricane Sandy in bays and estuaries of New
EAARL-B submerged topography: Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, pre-Hurricane Sandy, 2012
EAARL-B submerged topography: Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, post-Hurricane Sandy, 2012-2013
Hurricane Sandy made a variety of impacts along the highly populated northeastern Atlantic seaboard in October 2012. Improved understanding of these impacts will better prepare us for the next one. As a result the USGS science provides a strong foundation for decision makers, planners and resource managers.
Research Themes
USGS scientists are working to assess forecast effectiveness, improve how we share information, and identify gaps to improve the information and tools we provide.
Over 160 of our scientists, technicians, and specialists responded to Hurricane Sandy by deploying field equipment and capturing information both before and after the storm. The USGS Sandy Science Plan identifies major research themes that support recovery activities as well as develop tools that prepare us for the future.
- Coastal Elevation Data and Mapping - Assess and evaluate coastal vulnerability and hazards.
- Understanding Coastal Change - Understanding changes to our coastlines over both short and long periods of time.
- Coastal Hydrology and Storm Surge - Developing a storm tide monitoring network and data analysis capability.
- Environmental Quality and Contaminants - Floodwaters and inundation in urban environments have the potential to coastal and aquatic environments to contaminants.
- Coastal Ecosystem Impacts - Documenting and evaluating impacts on coastal ecosystems.
Storm Readiness
USGS provides data and tools to support the Nation’s preparedness and ability to respond to and recover from natural hazard events. Funds provided through the Congressional Sandy Supplemental Appropriation support USGS in enhancing many data display tools and data delivery mechanisms. These datasets and products are being produced across the Science Themes to meet the needs of emergency managers, planners, engineers, and scientists.
Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics (SWaTH) Network
SWaTH consists of 71 existing and new flood-hardened, real-time telemetered tide gages, 61 RDGs (Rapidly deployable real-time gages), and up to 555 temporary STSs (mobile Storm Tide Sensors). The STSs will be deployed in three distinct but integrated network configurations consisting of (1) a distributed array of stations representing the range of landscape types and infrastructure subject to surge and wave forces, (2) along transects from the coastline through the inland resource of concern (e.g. a wetland or coastal community), and (3) at existing tide and river monitoring stations where new data can be integrated with long-term records.
Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliancy and Response (SCoRR)
As part of the US Geological Survey (USGS) response to Hurricane Sandy, a Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) strategy has been developed to define baseline and post-event sediment-bound environmental health stressors. This strategy will be demonstrated as a pilot study in the Northeastern US. The SCoRR strategy utilizes a tiered, multi-metric approach to:
- Identify and map contaminant sources and potential exposure pathways for human and ecological receptors,
- Define the baseline mixtures of EH stressors present in sediments (Resilience Mode),
- Document post-event changes in EH stressors present in sediments (Response Mode), and
- Establish and apply metrics to quantify changes in coastal resilience associated with sediment-bound contaminants.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Barnegat Bay Restoration Science
New Jersey Coastal Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Coastal Storm Response Surge, Wave, and Tide Hydrodynamics Network (SWaTH)
Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) Strategy
Below are multimedia items associated with this project.
Flooded house in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in Mantoloking, New Jersey
Flooded house in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in Mantoloking, New Jersey
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. This house in Mantoloking, NJ was partly collapsed after Hurricane Sandy's storm tide receded.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. This house in Mantoloking, NJ was partly collapsed after Hurricane Sandy's storm tide receded.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. Houses, cars and a street in Seaside Heights, NJ were covered in beach sand after Hurricane Sandy's storm tide receded.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. Houses, cars and a street in Seaside Heights, NJ were covered in beach sand after Hurricane Sandy's storm tide receded.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. This house in Seaside Heights, NJ lost part of its foundation, leaving a front porch suspended in mid-air.
Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore Oct. 29-31, 2012. This house in Seaside Heights, NJ lost part of its foundation, leaving a front porch suspended in mid-air.
Below are publications associated with this project.