National Weather Service
does not just rely on maps and rainfall amounts to issue flood warnings. It reportedly uses special gauges and satellite technology to help forecast where and when flooding will occur.
Geoff Cartano, a hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, checks gauging stations along streams and rivers all over the state. He takes manual measurements to make sure the stations record accurate data, which is sent via satellite every four hours. Some stations also have dial-up modems that can give real-time information.
The National Weather Service taps that information when a storm is hitting.
"They are an invaluable source of information," said Steve Harned, of the National Weather Service. "We can use the gauging data from the U.S. Geological Survey to let us know exactly what's happening at those gauges to help us get out timely warnings of flooding."
There are more than 200 gauges strategically placed along creeks and rivers across the state.
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