Storm QuickLook and Reporting Tools: Coastal Oceanographic and Meteorological Monitoring and Analysis for Tropical Cyclone Events

Storm monitoring tools and post-event evaluation reports are required by natural disaster responders and coastal planners for accurate emergency forecasts and response, real-time storm monitoring, post-storm analysis, and land use planning. A nationwide, storm-fortified, coastal observing system enables development of these tools and reports. Coastal observed water levels during a storm, referred to as storm tides, do not include effects of wind generated waves, but may include storm-induced surge, astronomic tides, regional sea level variations and rainfall runoff into estuarine and river systems. If a storm makes landfall concurrently with an astronomically high tide, as with Hurricane Katrina, increased flooding and public safety issues, structural damage, coastal erosion and wetland loss can occur. To monitor storm impacts, NOAA's Storm QuickLook provides a real-time synopsis and analysis of oceanographic and meteorological observations in relation to the storm trajectory, and is disseminated in conjunction with NOAA National Hurricane Center tropical cyclone advisories. Archived post-storm data and technical reports contain studies of storm-induced water levels, currents, meteorological data, historical extreme storm comparisons and coastal inundation analysis.