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USGS publishes peak stages and streamflow following Hurricane Matthew

Interstate 95 flooded by Hurricane Matthew in Robeson County, NC
(Photo courtesy of NOAA, Remote Sensing Division)

The passage of Hurricane Matthew across the central and eastern regions of North Carolina and South Carolina during October 7–9, 2016, resulted in heavy rainfall that caused major flooding in parts of the eastern Piedmont in North Carolina and coastal regions of both States. Rainfall totals of 3 to 8 inches and 8 to more than 15 inches were widespread throughout the central and eastern regions, respectively.

U.S. Geological Survey streamgages recorded peaks of record at 26 locations, including 11 sites with long-term periods of 30 or more years of record. A total of 44 additional locations had peak streamflows that ranked in the top 5 for the period of record. Additionally, among 23 U.S. Geological Survey streamgages within the affected basins in North Carolina where stage-only data are collected, new peak stages were recorded at 5 locations during the flooding. U.S. Geological Survey personnel made 102 streamflow measurements at 60 locations in both States to verify, update, or extend existing rating curves (which are used to determine stage-discharge relations) during the October 2016 flood event.

The peak stages and streamflows that occurred following Hurricane Matthew are document in a USGS Open-File report published in December 2016 by the USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center.

After the Storm - Hurricane Matthew affects Eastern North Carolina

Hurricane Matthew Information Portal
The USGS South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC) deployed most of the USGS Storm-Tide Network along the Atlantic coast to monitor the timing, extent, and magnitude of the storm tide during the passage of Hurricane Matthew. The data are available at the Flood Event Viewer.

SAWSC also responded to the rains and flooding by ensuring that USGS real-time gages were operational and provided critical information on river stage and rainfall to the public, National Weather Service, and emergency management officials. In addition, USGS deployed staff to make streamflow measurements at streamgages across the state to verify and update the relations between river stage and streamflow. These relations were critical for determining the volume of water that passes a streamgaging station at any given river stage and are used in issuing flood warnings, mapping floodplains, monitoring water-quality and environmental conditions and managing water resources.

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