Improved Resilience in Active 2020 Hurricane Season due to Science Investments from 2017 Hurricane Recovery Funds Release Date:
February 26, 2021
The record-breaking 2020 Atlantic hurricane season is the first on record in which 9 tropical storms formed before August and 13 before September. Investments made in USGS coastal change science after the powerful 2017 hurricane season were focused on improving hazards planning for future storms.
The scientific advancements made by USGS since the 2017 hurricane season are paying off by improving forecasting tools, improving risk awareness, and creating more resilient communities. Here are a few examples:
The Total Water Level and Coastal Change Forecast has continually expanded since real-time forecasts began in 2015. In 2020, new regions of the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts were added to the forecast and officially approved for use in National Weather Service Forecasts.