Title:
Forecasting for Hurricane Josephine
Forecasting for Hurricane Josephine
Author(s)
Craver, Tarran
Atwell, Jonathan
Atwell, Jonathan
Advisor(s)
Editor(s)
Hatcher, Kathryn J.
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Abstract
The Southeast River Forecast Center (SERFC)
is responsible for the production of river forecasts for all the
rivers that drain into the Atlantic Ocean along the coasts of
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, as well
as the rivers that drain into the Gulf of Mexico from Mobile
Bay to the southernmost tip of Florida. This area of
responsibility covers about 270,000 square miles.
Although the primary mission of the SERFC is to forecast
flooding, forecasts for various purposes are issued daily for
numerous locations within this vast area. Tropical Storm Alberto (1994) was still fresh in the minds
of southwest Georgia residents when Hurricane Josephine
approached this flood sensitive area in early October, 1996,
presenting the possibility of catastrophic flooding.
Hydrologists at the SERFC used quantitative precipitation
forecasts supplied by National Weather Service Weather
Forecast Offices in their hydrologic prediction model to
improve lead time associated with flood forecasts. The heaviest rainfall associated with Hurricane Josephine
was confined within the area which includes the panhandle of
Florida, southeastern Georgia, and the coastal Carolinas.
Excellent quantitative precipitation forecasts provided by the
Weather Forecast Office in Jacksonville, Florida, accurately
predicted basin average rainfall of 4-5 inches across northern
Florida and southern Georgia 24 hours in advance of its
occurrence. This accurate prediction led to increased
awareness of potential trouble spots along rivers and streams
across southern Georgia as well as Florida. In addition to
notifying emergency management officials concerning
locations of possible trouble spots, much desired lead time
was gained with this accurate quantitative precipitation
forecast.
Sponsor
Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology
Date Issued
1997-03
Extent
Resource Type
Text
Resource Subtype
Proceedings