Cheryl Hapke of USF has helped install a low-maintenance, more cost-effective water level sensor in Tampa Bay. Observing water level trends will aid in the prediction of storm surge and flooding forecasts.

“While storm surge and tidal inundation forecasts have been standard in the U.S. – including those for ‘sunny day flooding,’ which typically happens in summer during heavy afternoon rains and sometimes exacerbated by a high tide – there is room for improvement. We can’t afford to continue working with the regional level of detail we have now,” said Hapke.

• Mark Luther
• Ping Wang
• Cheryl Hapke