The Delaware Environmental Observing System

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Bertha Underwood
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1 The Delaware Environmental Observing System DECISION SUPPORT FOR COASTAL FLOODING AND SNOWFALL Daniel Leathers, State Climatologist, Professor University of Delaware Tina Callahan, DEMAC, University of Delaware Kevin Brinson, DEOS Director, Asst. State Climatologist Chris Hughes, Applications Developer

2 Delaware Environmental Monitoring Group Real-time, statewide monitoring observations Climate data analysis and support UD direct-receive satellite receiving station Geologic and hydrologic monitoring and analysis Integrative, value-added data and application services

3 Value-added Applications Climate Projections Portal downscaled climate projections to 2100 Water Quality Portal repository of water quality data Snow Monitoring Network real-time snow accumulation monitoring Coastal Flood Monitoring System (CFMS) real-time coastal flood monitoring and early warning system Delaware Irrigation Management System irrigation scheduling software that is streamlined and tailored to Delaware

4 Examples of Decision Support Applications DEOS Snow Monitoring Network Coastal Flood Monitoring System

5 About Delaware 3 Counties 2 nd smallest state Land Area: 1,982 sq. miles 6 th least populous Population: 935,614 people* 6 th most densely populated Pop Density: 472/sq mile *(US Census Population Estimates Program v2015)

6 In 2000, the atmospheric environment of Delaware was monitored by three NWS stations spread across the state. The need for a more comprehensive, holistic environmental observing system for emergency management, natural resources monitoring, transportation, etc. was the driving force behind the initiation of the Delaware Environmental Observing System.

7 The Delaware Environmental Observing System 57 Total Stations 44 in Delaware 11 in Pennsylvania 2 in Maryland Measure mostly standard meteorological variables Some soil data as well

8 State, County, & Local Agency Partnerships Dept. of Natural Resources & Env. Control (DNREC) Div. of Energy & Climate (DEC) Delaware Coastal Programs (DCP) Watershed Assessment Section (Division of Water) Dept. of Transportation (DelDOT) Div. of Maintenance & Operations Div. of Planning Dept. of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) Div. Of Delaware Emergency Mgmt. Agency (DEMA) County Emergency Operations Municipalities

9 Financial Hardships to Homeowner s Association

10 Pre-DEOS Snow Monitoring One official cooperative snow observer measurement in DE (still the case ) All FEMA disaster declarations in Delaware based off this single location In the past, DEMA and DelDOT enlisted four observers (fire departments) to confirm critical thresholds for event snowfall Why?

11 26 Stations Public Website Updated every 5 minutes

12 Send (and receive) sonic pulses towards (from) the ground surface Use the time it takes the pulse to travel and the air temperature to determine distance to the ground surface

13 January 26, 2011 CoCoRAHS Observed Snowfall DEOS Observed Snowfall Official Delaware Snowfall

14 Data Usage Provide real-time and historical snow data to Delaware Department of Transportation for Snow Removal Reimbursement Program Provide real-time updates of snow data to public through DEOS website Also used heavily by DEMA for snow emergencies DEOS website traffic increase 10x during snow events

15 Take Away Real-time monitoring of snowfall is possible on a statewide level DEOS Network fills a large snow data gap in Delaware and provides a uniform system for measurement DEOS Storm Totals comparable to other networks Network has research potential

and associated risks Source: DE SeaGrant Coastal

16 Delaware Coastal Hazards Elevation: Highest: 447 ft Lowest: Sea Level Mean: 60 ft Delaware coastal hazards and associated risks Source: DE SeaGrant Coastal Hazards Overview *(US Census Population Estimates Program v2015)

17 Mother s Day Storm 2008 May 12 th, 2008 Nor easter and astronomically high tides caused significant coastal flooding Evacuations at Slaughter Beach, Kitts Hummock, Bowers Beach, and Woodland Beach

18 Becoming more prepared! Can we give people more time? Can we better predict and inform people on where the flooding might occur and how bad it might be?

19 Integration Integrates many forms of environmental data including: weather obs. tidal level obs. elevation (lidar) ocean and weather forecast models Dissemination Packages the many diverse data inputs in a way that users can employ for realtime storm events. Also issues ALERTS to notify users of impending hazards.

20 Information is supplied concerning potential coastal flooding, tidallevel timing and height, maximum forecasted water level, etc

21 It is possible to drill down to the level of a single house, or an evacuation roadway.

23 Thanks to the following State Climate Office staff for their work on many of these products! Kevin Brinson DEOS Director Linden Wolf DEOS Chris Hughes DEOS Tina Callahan DEMAC David Huntley DEOS Matthew Shatley Computer Specialist

24 Thank You!

John Callahan (Delaware Geological Survey) Kevin Brinson, Daniel Leathers, Linden Wolf (Delaware Environmental Observing System)

John Callahan (Delaware Geological Survey) Kevin Brinson, Daniel Leathers, Linden Wolf (Delaware Environmental Observing System) Delaware is extremely vulnerable to the impacts of coastal flooding Tropical